This time last year I was nearing the end of a big weight loss adventure. As I recall, I had dropped nearly all of the 30 pounds I left behind in 2015. I am proud to say that thanks to CrossFit and more sensible eating, I have managed to keep all of it from creeping back on.
As the holidays are upon us and food becomes much of the focus, I need to make an extra effort not to undo all of my hard work. According to some health experts, the average person consumes more than 4,500 calories on a typical Turkey Day. Yikes! Couple that with our tendency to lounge around watching football, and that is way too much food and not enough movement.
Thanksgiving dinner can still be a feast if you control portions, make better choices, exercise a bit before and after and hunt down some ways to make the dishes you love a little less high-calorie. Let’s look at some ways to decrease the calories in some of our favorite Thanksgiving meal items and get a little more activity than flipping channels.
— Lean Mean Turkey Machine: Turkey in itself is a very lean, high protein food. In the South we love to fry things right? Here is the good news: A fried turkey is not much different calorie wise than a roasted one, so it is your call.
— Stuffing: Stuffing is a must-have for a Thanksgiving meal but how can we lighten it up a bit? Most stuffing recipes call for bread and tons of butter. If you want to lighten up your stuffing, try substituting bulgur or rice for the bread. If you are bread stuffing fan, you can also use fruits, nuts, seafood or low fat sausage to cut down on the amount of bread necessary.
— Sweet potatoes: As their name suggests, sweet potatoes are sweet and, quite frankly, sweet enough on their own. By the time you add marshmallows, brown sugar and butter you pretty much have a dessert not a veggie. Try serving baked or roasted sweet potatoes with just a pinch of sugar and some cinnamon and nutmeg. You will be surprised how great they taste.
— Veggies: Besides sweet potatoes, fall offers all kinds of wonderful vegetables. Try roasting your favorites with some olive oil and serve with balsamic vinegar rather than deep frying or cooking with fatback. Also an old-fashioned veggie tray with dip is a great option.
— Desserts: Pumpkin pie can be lightened up by simply making a no-crust variety. Make your usual pie recipe and bake it in a pie pan sans crust saving calories but keeping the flavor. You can also opt for lighter fare such as fresh fruit with caramel or chocolate dipping sauce.
— Pre and post-dinner exercise: While the turkey is in the oven, get out and get moving. Take a walk, go for a run or play a little football in the yard. After dinner, take a 30-minute walk before diving on to the couch.
Thanksgiving dinner can still be fun and festive with lighter options, smaller portions and some exercise sprinkled in. Once you plan your menu, surf the net for recipe ideas to make your family meal healthier. Then shove the bird in the oven, your feet in some exercise shoes, and get moving!