How can we avoid gaining weight on Thanksgiving? It seems that holidays are usually great opportunities to indulge in some foods that we might usually steer clear of because of the high calorie content they might have. So it might not be a bad idea to make at least some preparations in order to try to avoid gaining weight on Thanksgiving this year, especially considering the incredible dinner that is usually put together to celebrate the occasion.
Since many people tend to eat a lot during the holiday the USDA has come up with a few suggestions in order to help those concerned with gaining weight over Thanksgiving. The tips are meant to help people better monitor their calorie intake and their dietary habits for the holidays to come.
According to an estimate made by the Calorie Control Council the average American adult consumes about 4500 calories during Thanksgiving Day. This amount factors in snacks, dinner meals, alcohol and treats but it’s still a pretty high number. A different estimate shows that the Thanksgiving dinner menu itself is pretty opulent as well and can amount to around 2100 calories. This takes into account the turkey, stuffing, candied yams, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy as well as a slice of pie.
Even if the lower estimate is closer to the truth it’s still higher that the recommended daily calorie intake. So what can we do to avoid weight gain as much as possible during the holidays? It seems that sleep could be an important tool, as several studies have shown that a steady sleep routine of 7 to 8 hours a night can prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart problems and reduce the feelings of craving and the possibility of overeating.
It might also not be a bad idea to eat light meals over the course of the day and opt for healthier foods with lower calorie contents. If you’re going to have a hearty Thanksgiving dinner, you can also try to limit the calorie intake by filling your plate using the 50-25-25 proportion system, which states that a balanced dinner plate would contain 50 percent vegetables, 25 percent protein and 25 percent grain.
And while it’s always important to keep yourself hydrated and drink plenty of liquids, that does not mean that sugary drinks or alcohol will help at all. In fact, experts warn that water is the best option during the day and that limiting your alcohol intake to one glass of wine might be best. What can never fail is an exercise routine to help burn off some of the extra calories in the days to follow.
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