By: Amy Bortnick

Thanksgiving  is just around the corner and many of us have mixed feelings toward the food-centered holiday. On one hand, there’s excitement to spend time with family, reflect and be thankful over our lives, enjoy great food, relax, and of course enjoy great shopping. However, for some despite whether struggling with weight  is normally stressful or not, the holiday can be a source of anxiety, discomfort, and over indulgence. It is easy loose track of our weight loss goals or overindulge by throwing in the towel when were constantly surrounded by food, whether be in form of gifts, attending multiple dinners, left overs etc.  The key to a happy holiday is a healthy one, one where you can savor your favorite foods whether it be a slice of pumpkin pie or a warm bowl of creamy corn chowder and end the night satisfied and happy instead of in discomfort with guilt easier said than done right? Well here are some tips and strategies to help you truly enjoy your holiday:

1. Be mindful, decide how you want to feel throughout the night and focus on your body and fullness levels. Eat when you’re sitting at the table and not walking around talking to friends and family.
2. Eat Slowly, take the time to enjoy conversation and company. Pause between bites and allow your hunger singles time to set in before reaching for seconds.
3. Savor your favorite foods, choose your favorite foods and let yourself enjoy and savor them it will help prevent you from over indulging later and lead to more satisfied feelings.
4. Choose fruits and vegetables- Decide on your favorite foods, have them and then fill the rest of your plate with healthy options such as fruits and vegetables. To help yourself and others stay healthy prepare fruits and vegetables and serve them at events to give your loved ones healthy options.
5. Stay active, many times we get overwhelmed in planning and hosting holiday events. Remember to take the time for yourself. Don’t give up your exercise routine you will feel better and be in a happier state with your family and friends if you take the time you need for yourself.
6. Gift well- Choose to give your loved ones healthy gifts  instead of the typical cookies, cakes, and pies.  Its great to enjoy holiday delicacies on special nights but maybe not continually throughout the season. Serve the pecan pie once but give gifts that promote health and well-being. Some great suggestions include; candles, edible fruit trees, ornaments, healthy trail mix, spa gift certificates, water bottles, tea, and flowers.
7. Don’t feel guilty- finally the most important tip  is to is  remember to stay positive, if you happen to over eat don’t plague your holiday with negative feeling of guilt and regret. The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, if you eat too much one day wake up the next day with a plan to do better!

Good luck and Best wishes for a happy healthy holiday season!