Thanksgiving Day is all about the three f’s: food, family and friends. While there are no limits on family or friends, over indulging in food can leave you feeling sick or physically make you sick. Reading this now probably puts your mind into full Thanksgiving mode. And, believe us, our mouths are watering too. Every year there’s that someone in the family that eats way more than they should, and ends up paying for it the next day. We here at GANJ want you to enjoy this holiday to the fullest and head into Black Friday feeling your best.
Step 1: Understand the Holiday
You first must accept that this is a day of indulgence. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie are all the stereotypical Thanksgiving classics and there will be plenty of it at the dinner table. There should be no surprises here.
Step 2: Be sure to eat properly prior to the meal
Don’t skip any meals during the day, including your normal breakfast and lunch. Skipping these meals all together will greatly impact your overindulgence later on. Of course, eat your pre-dinner meals on the light side so you have room to enjoy with your friends and family.
Step 3: Small portions
We know what you’re thinking. “Small portions?!” We can hear you yelling it now. However, we recommend small portions of turkey, mashed potatoes, greens, etc. Remember that there will always be more if you are still hungry. By taking smaller portions each time, you give your digestive system a chance to react and tell you that you’re full.
Step 4: Choose healthy options
It is very easy to eat pounds of mashed potatoes with a side of apple or pumpkin pie. We’ve all been there, and it’s delicious. The smartest course of action is to stick to the healthier options on the table. Salads, vegetables and sweet potatoes are less likely to cause bloating or cramps than sweets and heavy portions of stuffing and turkey.
Follow these 4 steps and you should be able to enjoy Thanksgiving to its fullest. We at the GANJ family wish all our patients family and friends a happy and healthy holiday!
