 Make a food plan for the holidays
Thanksgiving will soon be upon us. Have you thought about your food plan? While many holiday events tend to be social, Thanksgiving tends to be all about the food. My daughter refers to it as "butter day." It's important to enjoy yourself while being responsible about it. The best way to do that is to plan ahead.
The meal, snacks and desserts are fairly predictable; families do the same thing each year. Some common calories counts are:
• 4 ounces turkey breast (no skin): 150 calories
• 1 cup of stuffing: 300 calories
• One-eighth of a pumpkin pie: 300 calories
• 1 dinner roll: 150 calories
• One-half cup green bean casserole: 100 calories
That amount of food would comprise a nice dinner anytime of the year and adds up to about 1,000 calories. Not too bad, but most of us will eat more than that. There are also snacks, additional favorite side dishes, and of course, butter.
Even eating responsibly will likely cost you about 2,000 calories. That amount allows you to enjoy the day without derailing your food plan. It's the overeating and large quantities that make for bad numbers at the scale. It's also the four-day weekend full of leftovers. If leftovers are your favorite, be careful to measure, weigh and count the calories.
Take advantage of the extra days off and add in some activity. Play with the kids or take a walk after dinner with a friend or relative you don't see very often. Even a long Black Friday in the mall crowds will burn a few extra calories. Pack some healthy snacks and make good choices when you break for lunch.
Give it some thought, plan it out and stick to your plan. Most importantly, please have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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