Have a Healthy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the season of overeating, sweets, and sedentary lifestyle. This year, get the holiday season off to a healthy start with these tips:

1. Eat Small Portions. I know, everything looks so delicious that you want to heap piles of food onto your plate. Eating a lot may give you instant gratification, but you’ll only regret it later.  Smaller portions will still allow you to eat all of your favorite foods, without putting on the pounds or resulting in a tired sick feeling later. Plus it means more time with the leftovers!
2. Make Healthy Recipes. The good news is that many traditional Thanksgiving foods are already healthy. Turkey, cranberries, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes are all both delicious and good for you. Try a few alternative recipes that don’t add as much sugar, butter, and cream to these naturally healthy foods.
3. Play Some Football. Instead of sitting around inside watching football on TV, go outside and toss a ball around. This is a fun and healthy way to exercise off all of the extra pounds you just ate.
4. Go for a Walk. Spend some quality time with the family while walking around the neighborhood. It’s good to enjoy these brisk fall days, and it will help settle your stomach and keep your energy level high.
5. Relax. This one may seem obvious, but between cooking, cleaning, and spending time with extended family, the holidays can cause a lot of stress. Try splitting the cooking duties between several family members, and don’t worry about making everything perfect. Take a breather and enjoy the time with your family.