11/26/2025
Look, Thanksgiving doesnāt need to feel like a battle. You donāt have to white-knuckle your way through dinner, and you also donāt have to pretend your goals suddenly took a holiday. There is a middle lane ā and it's way comfier. Hereās my top tips for enjoying the day without feeling like crap later!
1ļøā£ Donāt āsave upā calories.
Showing up to dinner starving guarantees one thing: youāll eat like youāre auditioning for a competitive-eating show. Eat normally earlier in the day so that you donāt binge on all the appetizers and oily snacks while waiting for dinner.
2ļøā£ Prioritize Veggies and Protein first.
Salad and turkey are your friends. By starting with veggies and saving your starches for last, youāll prevent a spike in glucose levels. Also, protein keeps you full and makes that second slice of pie more of a choice, not a compulsion.
3ļøā£ Pick your āworth itā foods.
Not everything on that table is special. Mashed potatoes? You can make them any day. Aunt Lindaās homemade pumpkin pie? Thatās a once-a-year situation. Choose like an adult with goals.
4ļøā£ Hydrate like you mean it.
Half the time we mistake thirst for hunger. Make sure you drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces before you arrive at dinner. Water between drinks = game changer.
5ļøā£ Portion, donāt punish.
Take smaller servings, eat slower, then check in with yourself. If you want seconds, go for it ā but make it intentional, not autopilot.
6ļøā£ MOVE before and after.
Donāt skip your morning workout, even if itās shorter than normal. Then, after dinner, take a post-meal stroll with your family ā all of it counts. Your body loves movement, and it keeps digestion from staging a rebellion.
7ļøā£ Donāt let one meal turn into a four-day food bender.
Enjoy Thursday. On Friday, return to your routine. One holiday dinner isnāt the problem ā dragging it out until Monday is.
8ļøā£ Enjoy the day!
Stress is more inflammatory than gravy. Eat the foods you truly love, move your body, laugh a lot, and keep your eye on the bigger picture.