By: Kerry Robinson, RD   Date: 11/25/09

We all cringe getting on the scale the day after Thanksgiving—but the good news is there are several strategies to avoid that post-holiday feeling of defeat.  Taking a break for the holiday to spend time with friends and family doesn’t mean you have to take a break from your healthful lifestyle. Here are some quick tips to keep those calories in check, while allowing some room for your favorite holiday treats:

• Tune-in to your natural hunger cues: After your first plate of food, take some time to connect with those around the table. This will give your body and your brain time to register the amount of food you’ve just eaten, and you may find that you don’t really need that second helping of stuffing.  
• Focus on maintenance:  Thanksgiving may not be the best time to embark on a new weight loss plan or exercise program. Work to maintain your weight over the holidays, rather than trying to follow a strict diet plan—you want to allow for some wiggle room to enjoy the festivities. 
• Get moving:  Go for a long walk in the morning, and enjoy the fall leaves.  Better yet, encourage your friends and family to participate in a Turkey Trot in your local area to burn off some pre-meal steam.
• Test Your Culinary Skills: Are you taking the lead on preparing Thanksgiving dinner this year? If so, consider experimenting ahead of time with these diet-friendly recipe makeovers of your favorite holiday dishes.
• Shop till you drop!  Take advantage of the sales the day after Thanksgiving and do extra laps around the mall with all of your shopping bags.  Consider parking a little farther away from the mall entrance than usual, and be sure to take the stairs—small increments of exercise add up!
• Share the Feast: Be sure to send leftovers home with friends and family--you will be less likely to indulge again the day after.
• Load up on veggies: Thanksgiving tends to be associated with high fat, calorie-dense foods, but there are some real nutrition superstars sitting on the table!  Squash, carrots, corn, beets, pumpkin and sweet potatoes are some of the many vegetables that are excellent sources of key nutrients! 

Finally, with all the excitement surrounding the holidays, don’t forget to practice safe food handling to ensure that your food is of the best quality, and most importantly, your guests are enjoying a safe meal. 

The bottom line: Don’t feel defeated during Thanksgiving. Use what you already know about eating healthy and apply it to your holiday meal; no need to completely abandon your healthy habits during this special occasion.  It’s a time to celebrate family coming together and to be thankful for many things, including good health!