Tips for Eating Healthy this Thanksgiving!

It seems hard to believe, but Thanksgiving will be here again before we know it.

Thanksgiving - a time of giving thanks to God for His abundant blessings, and a time to be with family that maybe we haven't seen all year. Lots of food, laughter, football games on tv, food, the sound of of children playing, more food, lots of talking and catching up, and still more food.

Let's face it, food is a HUGE part of this holiday. So how can we get through this holiday without those extra pounds and that feeling of regret the day after?

I've seen lots of tips on the internet and in magazines for eating "healthy" - but they include the usual turkey, mashed potatoes with cow's milk, and gravy made with a little less oil than usual. Is this really healthy?

If you really want mashed potatoes, at least make your own and use a nut milk, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil or safflower oil into it, and add some herbs. But please skip the turkey!

But, if you really want to eat healthfully this year, I've got some ideas that will help.

• Make a couple of healthy dishes to bring and to share – one entree and one dessert. Extra food is always appreciated and often will be a good conversation starter. It may also help someone there who wants to eat healthy but isn't sure how and doesn't know that there are delicious options.
  

Of course if you are hosting the get-together, what you make is completely up to you! And it will be one Thanksgiving everyone is sure to remember.

• If you are going out, eat something really healthy first, before you go out or before company comes! Especially if you think you will be tempted, fill up on it so you're not even hungry when you get there.
  

• Another trick is to eat or drink something sweet but healthy. Maybe a quart of green smoothie, or a banana/carob/date drink. Those are both really filling and satisfies a sweet tooth and helps greatly with those unhealthy cravings, and with feeling like we are missing out on something.
  

• Brush your teeth right before you leave or before company comes. I found years ago that there is something about having a clean mouth that discourages the desire to eat. This would help with the pre-dinner snacks.
  

You may even want to bring a toothbrush and toothpaste (a healthy one without fluoride or abrasive chemicals that strip the enamel) with you, if you think that will help, to keep from snacking later on.

And, most importantly,

• Decide well before you go, what you want to do. That way you won't feel pressured to sample everything that you really don't want to.

Remember that it is an attitude, or mindset – you are not being deprived of anything, not at all! Quite the opposite. You are making intelligent choices to live longer, be free from pain and sickness, and eat a delicious diet. How great is that?

This is the first in a series of articles entitled, "How to Eat Healthfully this Thanksgiving - and Enjoy It!". I do hope these articles will be helpful to you.

Phyllis Towse