Thanksgiving is a holiday of excesses. After all, it's all about getting together and eating. If you're trying to control the amount of calories you consume or simply trying to eat healthier, you'll need to make changes to the typical Thanksgiving feast. In fact, it might be wise to even change your outlook. Try to make the holiday less about food and more about loved ones coming together. Come up with activities for the family to do together, so you can move away from the table after dinner, instead of lingering around and eating non-stop.
Step 1
Make small changes. According to Dr. Walter Willett in a 2008 article for "Reader's Digest," you can use olive oil instead of butter or exchange sausages for nuts in stuffing or side dishes. Reducing the amount of sugar in the cranberry sauce is also an option. If you buy it canned, choose a low-sugar option.
Step 2
Eat less. The easiest way to eat healthier at Thanksgiving is to control your portions. Try everything but eat less of it. Have a large glass of seltzer water before you get a second serving. Or serve a side salad so you fill up on fresh veggies and eat less of the high-fat, high-calorie foods.
Step 3
Eat breakfast. Don't starve the whole day in anticipation of the Thanksgiving dinner or you'll end up overeating once it's on the table. Instead, have a healthy breakfast of protein and fiber, such as eggs and whole wheat toast or sugar-free cereal and milk.
Step 4
Skip the extras. Have the turkey, the stuffing and the mashed potatoes, but avoid snacks or finger foods. If there's food on the table before dinner, simply stay away from it. If you're eating out at a buffet, stick to Thanksgiving foods only and avoid French fries, buttered vegetables and any other foods that are high in calories but you can have any other day.
Step 5
Take the skin off the turkey. According to Healthcastle, you'll save both calories and fat. Cut fats in other areas as well. Avoid cheese and cream-filled casseroles, choose plain mashed potatoes instead of candied yams and skip anything fried. Either offer to bring a dish of your own or look for options in the buffet.
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