Here’s the 411 to prevent Thanksgiving weight gain from all that food you’re consuming
Worried about Thanksgiving Weight gain? Turkey Day is just around the corner, and even though it’s a warming time to celebrate with family and friends, the dread of thinking about all that food has got us shook. Whether it’s fried turkey, roasted turkey, pecan pie, or pumpkin pie, the urge to try out all of the delicious types of food on the table can lead to some massive weight gains over the festive weekend.
For some, the importance of food over the holidays and the pressure from friends and family to eat more than normal may cause anxiety, even though many individuals can easily enjoy this excess. Yet keep in mind that there are health risks to be concerned about consuming too much food, or caloric intake.
Just to name a few, overeating can cause symptoms such as acid reflux, bloating, elevated blood sugar, gas, heartburn, nausea, stomach pain, and tiredness. Yes, that’s quite the naughty list. Knowing how to prevent Thanksgiving weight gain not only holds you back from the massive increase in pounds, it can also prevent many of these types of health issues.
It’s too easy to think about food during the holidays, and that’s exactly where we need to check ourselves to prevent Thanksgiving Weight gain. We’re not talking about only one meal here. Many of us are scheduled to attend Thanksgiving gatherings with friends, family, and colleagues. Then there’s also Christmas around the corner! So what’s more important than the food at all of these events? Although “nothing” might be the clever answer, it’s the social aspect of it all that is the most important. It is the core reason why we celebrate the holidays with each other.
“The holiday season is a time for celebration, social connection and enjoyment of unique culinary experiences,” says Joel Totoro, director of sports science at Thorne Research. “Food is not just fuel but also a cultural and social connector. Sharing a meal with loved ones can enhance well-being and contribute to a sense of community, which are essential aspects of a healthy lifestyle.”
Of course adding in some exercise surely doesn’t hurt. A great idea would be to take a stroll with some friends after the big dinner. Totoro also advises to “incorporate some physical activity into these holiday festivities,” whether that’s “backyard football on Thanksgiving, a walk with the family after dinner, or even dancing the night away.”
With that in mind, how to prevent Thanksgiving weight gain becomes a much more simple task to handle. It’s important to see the holidays as a time of year when we get to spend time with people we care about, and eat foods that remind us of our culture and traditions. If that’s the focal point, we naturally become more disciplined with our caloric intake. Happy Thanksgiving!