My Plan to Survive Thanksgiving Dinner

I admit I don’t have a healthy relationship with food. After years of being told I ate too much, and especially after having weight loss surgery, I became extremely aware of people watching me when I ate.  Perhaps I imagined it, but I swear I could see them watching what I put on my plate, how much I put on there, and then how much of it I ate. Even if I chose healthy foods and ate very little, I still felt self-conscious.

So…you can imagine the fear I have about holiday meals. I dread them, especially since I’m usually not the one cooking them. It’s hard to stick to a healthy diet when you don’t have control over what you are served.

This year however, I have been living with a more positive mind-set, and I’ve decided to apply that to my relationship with food. Losing ten pounds recently helps, since I’ve gained a bit of confidence in my ability to take care of my body.

Here’s my 3-step plan to get through the day tomorrow:

Limit the Cocktails

I’m not much of a drinker, but I will have something at family gatherings. I’m not a beer drinker, but instead prefer the hard stuff — not good if you’re watching your calories. The good news is that I’m a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, so I can make one potent drink last all night if needed. However, I’m going to allow myself one or two small drinks, and take a break with a large glass of water in between.

Use a Smaller Plate

One of my favorite tricks to eating less is using a smaller plate. Sure, I’ve tried to dish less onto a big plate, but it doesn’t work the same. I end up taking a little of everything when maybe I should have just a little more of the few things I really want. This year I’m going to use a smaller plate so I can avoid eating the high-sugar foods that usually make me sick — like candied yams.

Talk More, Eat Less

Talking may be easy for some, but not for an introvert like myself. I’m going to avoid eating all the pre-dinner appetizers and goodies by visiting more with my in-laws and the others who will be there. Talking more give you less chances to put food in your mouth, and also leaves time in between your bites for your brain to realize your stomach is filling up.

Have Fun!

If you’re worried about getting through tomorrow without ruining your healthy diet, just take a deep breath and remember that Friday is a new day. Above all, I hope you relax, have fun, and enjoy yourself, because that’s what I’ll be doing.