The Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving Feasting
Between travel, family, traditions, and holiday foods, Thanksgiving – and any holiday involving those elements – can be tricky to navigate. From overindulging to dodging uncomfortable body comments, I've got you covered.
If you love Thanksgiving and everything about it and can't wait to feast....
Go forth. Enjoy. No guilt. No need to "work it off." Just give thanks and enjoy.
If you're anxious about overeating...
First, give thanks for an abundance of food. More than 44 million Americans face hunger, including 1 in 5 kids. [If you'd like to help, check out Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, and No Kid Hungrycampaign.]
Don't "save up" for a big dinner. Treat your Thanksgiving feasts like a regular meal. Eat as normal throughout the day so you're not ravenously hungry when you sit down to the table.
Focus on the dishes you really enjoy and look forward to each year and pass on the stuff you don't actually care about.
Remember that one meal and one day truly does not matter in the grand scheme of your life. If you're lucky, you'll consume tens of thousands of meals in your lifetime. Don't stress over one Thanksgiving dinner.
If you're worried about "burning off" the calories or "earning" pie...
Don't. It doesn't work that way. Do not listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.
Your body needs food whether or not you exercised, even if you ate more than you usually would.
Exercise calories aren't Chuck E. Cheese tickets you can just cash in for an extra slice of pie of equal value. It's more complex than that. Eat the food because you need food and because it's delicious. Move your body because it feels good and has health benefits. Don't overthink it.
If you're dreading family members commenting on your body or what's on your plate...
Hope for the best (maybe no one will say anything) and plan for the worst aka be prepared with responses.
Be polite but firm and set the boundary that your body and your plate aren't up for discussion.
Respond with a question that makes them feel just how uncomfortable their questions/comments are. For example: When someone says: "Should you really be eating all that?" You can say: "Why do you ask?" or "Should you really be commenting on what I'm eating?"
Stare awkwardly and don't respond. I mean, what does one say to "Wow, that's a lot of food for a one person?" I usually go with "Yup" and an aggressive fork stab, but you could also eye up the commenter's full plate and turn it around on them.
Get snarky. If someone's gonna say "Looks like you've been eating well," then you're well within your rights to respond with: "So have you but I'd never be rude enough to comment on someone else's body like that." *wink*
Educate them! Turkey is a great source of protein, everyone needs some amount of carbs, and vegetables still count even if they're in a casserole.
Walk away. Rude, unkind, and inappropriate comments just don't deserve a response.
If you're training for something and are worried about screwing up your progress or eating off meal plan...
If you're on a super strict plan to support your fitness or training goals, you should be working with a coach! And they should have set you up with a solid plan for Thanksgiving Day.
Otherwise, treat it like you would any other meal. If you'd normally focus on lean protein and veggies, stick with white meat and veggies.
If someone comments on what you are or are not eating, you can smile and say "Thanks for your concern, but I've got it under control." You're not obligated to explain or justify your choices.
If you overate and feel uncomfortable (physically or emotionally)...
Don't freak out. Give yourself some grace. Remember, it's one meal.
Stop eating. Once you hit a point where you wish you'd worn sweats, you're going to want to save the pie for the next day. Don't compound the situation by eating more just because it's there.
Take a walk. Some light movement will aid digestion and help you feel a little less stuffed.
At the next meal, take smaller portions, get back to more "normal" foods, and drink lots of water to help you digest.
If you're about to say something to someone about their body or their plate...
Stop.
Not sure what to say instead? Try:
"I like your shirt"
"Seen anything good on tv lately?"
"You look happy"
"What are you looking forward to these days?"
Literally anything that's not about what or how much someone is eating or how they look or what they weigh.
No matter what...
Try to practice gratitude for the body you have and all it does for you, and for the ability to put food on the table.
Remember that it's one day (or a few, if you're living that leftover life with me).
One meal or one workout will not make you, and it will not break you.
It's what you do every other day that counts.
Consistently eating a range of foods in appropriate amounts, moving your body, managing stress, and getting enough sleep will do amazing things for your long-term physical and mental well-being.
