3 Ways to Feel Less Full on Thanksgiving

When we aren't thinking about fixing cars, we're thinking about Thanksgiving dinner! (At least this month we are)!

So you’re ready for dessert

There’s nothing like sitting down to a Thanksgiving meal with family and friends. Everything always looks so good, but all too often, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. It happens every year. We eat a little too much, and by the end of the day, everyone’s in a food coma. But if you want to skip the food coma and still enjoy all your favorite dishes, there are a few things you can do so you don’t end up feeling like a stuffed turkey.

Bring on the soup! Eating soup before you dig into the main course can help you pace yourself, meaning you are less inclined to pile on the turkey, potatoes, and all the other goodies – and you’ll be ready once the dessert is served! One of the tastiest (and healthiest) options is butternut squash soup. It’s delicious, low in calories (about 100 calories per cup), and high in fiber, so it will help you feel fuller for longer.

Balance vegetables with starches. Who can say no to mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, or sweet potato pie? While these are all delicious, they are all starchy carbs – ones that will weigh you down. But you don’t need to cut them out completely. Instead, balance should be your goal. For every starchy dish, have one or two servings of vegetable dishes. Then, as you plate your meal, reach for the veggies first, followed by the proteins, and then finally the carbs (potatoes, casseroles, bread, etc.).

Keep your calories on the plate. A great way to cut back on excess calories (and to save more room for dessert) is to watch what you drink. Instead of wine, cider, or soda, stick to good, old-fashioned water. Add a slice of lemon, make it fizzy, or drink it plain. This is the easiest way to cut 200-600 calories from your meal – and it’s one more way to feel less full, which means you’ll be ready to dig into the leftovers before Thanksgiving Day comes to an end!

Wishing everyone an incredibly Happy Thanksgiving!