Thanksgiving is the time for friends, family…and a lot of delicious food! Of course, it’s tricky to strike that balance between enjoying your holiday meal and overeating to the point of serious discomfort. Don’t worry – we’re here to give you some simple tips to help you avoid getting stuffed this Thanksgiving!

We’ve all been there: you sit down at the table for Thanksgiving dinner, load up your plate with your favorite holiday dishes…and then 20 minutes later, you’re barely able to move. So what exactly can you do to avoid that dreaded stuffed feeling?

Don’t get us wrong – we aren’t saying you shouldn’t indulge in a delicious Thanksgiving feast! It’s the holiday season, after all. Live it up a little! That said, there are a few things you can do to feel your best while still enjoying your favorite dishes. Here are a few simple tricks for how to avoid getting stuffed this Thanksgiving!

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

Before you even begin to fill up your plate, spend a moment looking over the spread. Take a look at what’s there and see all the dishes you’re working with. Once you have a clear idea of what’s available, you can make a mental note of what you actually plan to put on your plate. This will prevent you from over-serving any of the first dishes that come your way – you’ll know to save room on your plate for the other good stuff to come!

Start with Smaller Serving Sizes

Speaking of over-serving, it’s better to start with smaller serving sizes of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes. We’re all guilty of having eyes that are bigger than our stomachs, especially when it comes to holiday meals! If there is more food on your plate than you’re actually hungry for, you’ll probably still end up eating it. Start with smaller servings, and chances are you’ll have plenty of food. Of course, if you’re still hungry, you can always go back for seconds!

Take a Break Before Reaching for Seconds

It’s easy to want to immediately go for seconds once your plate is empty. This is especially true when the food is so delicious! However, if you want to avoid overeating, it’s best to give your body a bit of time to rest and digest before you decide if you want to go in for round two. After a few minutes, you may realize that you don’t even need seconds! 

Put a pause on eating and just enjoy being with friends and family. After all, spending time with your loved ones is the real point of Thanksgiving!

For more health and wellness advice for the holidays and beyond, you can take a look at our blog.