Outsmarting Thanksgiving Overeating
Published: Thu, 11/20/08
Hi ,
1. Eat a high fiber breakfast Thanksgiving morning. Start your day with choices rich in fiber like Oatmeal, Raisin Brain, Fiber One, or All Bran. Whatever breakfast cereal you choose, read the label to make sure it has at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. Whole wheat toast, whole wheat waffles, and whole wheat pancakes are also good choices.
Round out your breakfast with a high fiber fruit, like an apple, orange or pear. You can also snack on these fruits throughout the day. These choices will keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day and help prevent food cravings.
2. Drink a cup of water every hour. You can also keep a water jug with 64 ounces of water in it to sip on throughout the day. This will help ensure that you are eating from hunger, not from thirst.
3. Don't pile your plate high with food. Since you may be trained to clean your plate, piling your plate high with food is an invitation to overeat. When you fix your plate, be sure to leave spaces between each type of food so that you can still see the bottom of the plate.
4. Use your hand to judge portion sizes. Each serving of food should be no bigger than your fist (or your cupped hand for starches).
5. Fill half of your plate with vegetables, preferably green ones like green beans, turnip greens, collards, cabbage, and other fibrous vegetables. Many people might think of macaroni and cheese or potato salad as vegetables but they aren't. Those foods are considered starches.
Remember, each serving of starches should be no bigger than your cupped hand. Eat your vegetables first, then your protein choice (white meat turkey is a great choice), and save your starches, sweets for last.
6. Make yourself wait 10 minutes before going back for seconds. You always want to be sure that you are eating from hunger, not from habit. So give your food time to settle and let your body tell you if you need more or not.
You can always fix yourself a plate and put it in the refrigerator for later if you are concerned your favorite goody will be gone if you don't eat it right away.
7. Keep yourself moving. Get some exercise Thanksgiving morning. Play games with your young family members - Tag, hide and seek, throwing a ball or Frisbee, Twister, dance, or any activity that gets you off the couch is great.
Catch up with those friends and family you haven't seen for a while.
Stay focused on the purpose of the holiday. It's not about eating, but reflecting on what you have and being grateful for it.
Have fun and enjoy your holiday!
Be blessed in health, wealth, and wisdom,
Kimberly Floyd, C.W.C.
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of 'MoneyWise Weight Loss'
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com
Take Back Your Temple
P.S. Think coaching might be your solution to reaching your perfect weight, but private coaching is a bit outside of your budget right now? I am offering a group coaching program in January 2009 that is the perfect solution. Limited to a group of 4-7 members, you would receive one weekly session by telephone for four weeks. Participation would be determined on a "first come, first served basis".
If you would be interested in more information about group coaching, please email me back and let me know.
If you would be interested in more information about group coaching, please email me back and let me know.
Please forward this email on to all others for whom this information will be a
blessing.