My Advice For Turkey Day

By: Dr. Craig Anderson

With Thanksgiving hours away, it’s time to prepare your body for a massive inflow of calories.  I’m not going to tell you to skip dessert or cut your portions.  I say eat up and enjoy.  Here’s how to make the most of the calorie fest we call -- Thanksgiving.

1. Burn some calories in the morning.  When you wake up tomorrow take a 30 minute brisk walk or join a Turkey Trot race.  The benefits of moving your body first thing are two fold.  First is the obvious – exercise will increase your metabolism and prepare your body to use the calories from the Turkey feast.  Second, this will help with the guilt of eating a hefty meal…
2. Eat a light snack 3 hours before the big one.  Some people starve all day to prepare for the massive dose of food.  This is a mistake.  Keeping your body from this kind of starvation state will reduce the amount of calories converted to fat.  I suggest eating a bowl of fresh fruit, maybe a light sandwich.  Smaller than a regular lunch but enough to satisfy.
3. Eat Slow.  The faster you eat to more you can eat.  Your body will turn off the hunger centers in your brain when your blood sugar goes up.  If you eat fast enough it’s possible to eat tons of food before this hunger center turns off.  This will lead to over eating.  So take it slow and listen to your hunger.
4. Have No Guilt. Be thankful for the food in front of you.  We are so blessed both individually and as a nation.  Be thankful for God’s blessings and enjoy.  Enjoy the turkey, gravy, brownies, homemade bread, family and friends.  Don't worry, there will be plenty of time to exercise after the new year…