Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is tomorrow and you're waist line is likely cringing in anticipation. Before you prepare to unbutton your jeans, don stretchy pants, or swear to "be good" in the days following, check out our tips and tricks for surviving Thanksgiving!
1. Swapportunities. Seize them. I am a firm believer that labels such as low fat, low calorie, low sugar, or fat free are often much worse than the full fat goodness we tend to avoid. Save yourself the chemicals and artifical substitutes by sticking with the full fat ingredients. This Thanksgiving, a great place to perk up your nutritional content is in your mashed potatoes. That's right. The holy grail of thanksgiving delights. Here are two healthy swaps to make your mashed potatoes a friendlier side dish.
Swap out 1/3 of your potatoes for carrots. Peel them, dice them, and boil them just as you would potatoes. In fact, you can boil and smash them in the exact same pot as your potatoes- less dishes! Carrots are high in Vitamin A, low in carbs, and won't alter the texture or flavor of your potatoes. The best part, they add depth of color to your dish without any extra effort!
Not a fan of carrots? Allergic to potatoes? Go for Cauliflower Smash. Boil or roast a head of cauliflower until tender. Mash and prep as you would normal mashed potatoes and enjoy your low-carb swap that won't leave you feeling sluggish. Cauliflower is high in Calcium, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin C, Potasium, and Magnesium.
2. Movember! Now I know the actual "Movember" movement has nothing to do with physical activity but it was a pun I couldn't pass up. At InHealth, Movember is all about embracing the month of November with physical activity and exercise despite the limited daylight hours in the Northwest this season, every opportunity to get moving is one to seize!
If you aren't the primary cook in the house and can afford a few hours in the morning to run, take advantage of the Turkey Trot's happening in your neck of the woods. What better opportunity to burn some calories, increase blood flow, and embrace the last few days of fall.
Don't have time in the morning? Invite the family out for some exercise before your meal (since Lord knows getting anyone up after all that Turkey is a true challenge). You can head out for a walk, jog, bike ride, game of basketball or football. Whatever gets the family up and moving!
3. Eat! Whatever you do, do not, I repeat do not fast before your meal. Starving yourself silly will only lead to overconsumption at the table. Start your day off right with breakfast and lots of fluids to kick start your metabolism. Stay fed throughout the day leading up to the big dinner so you can enjoy the food's quality rather than gorging on a large quantity. Remember that your empty stomach is about the size of a fist as your begin to heap the food onto your plate.
Last but not least, enjoy! I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with good company, gratitude, and love.
Happy Thanksgiving!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.