11/22/2022
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means there will be lots of tasty food during celebrations this week!
While we celebrate with family or friends, we know this time of the year can be difficult to navigate if you’re trying to eat healthier. So, with that in mind, we are dedicating this Try It Tuesday to providing tips that will make it easier to be mindful of our eating at Thanksgiving time.
1. For those delicious dishes that are usually made with sour cream (dips, casseroles, etc.),
consider substituting Greek yogurt, which is higher in protein and will help keep you feeling full for a longer period of time.
2. Try making mashed potatoes with olive oil instead of butter. Olive oil is lower in saturated fat
than butter and is better for overall heart health.
3. Be mindful of your portion sizes. Look at all the options before you start filling your plate, and
then choose smaller portion sizes that allow you to enjoy each of the foods you love without
feeling bloated at the end of the day.
4. There will be a bounty of delicious dishes being passed around, so try to fill up on foods higher in protein, whole grains and healthy fats (omega-3, omega-6 and unsaturated fats). All of these things will help you feel satisfied for a longer time and will help curb the desire to overeat.
5. This is a time to celebrate, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Give yourself the ability to enjoy
each dish and be with family and friends. Don’t be so focused on policing your food choices that
you miss what is going on around you. Be mindful of what you are eating but let yourself enjoy
it!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Mount Mary dietetic interns!
Sources:
https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0618p18.shtml
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/03/05/olive-oil-may-lower-heart-disease-risk #:~:text=Researchers%20found%20those%20who%20ate,risk%20of%20coronary%20heart%20disease.
https://www.medicalwesthospital.org/9-tips-for-a-healthy-thanksgiving.php