Before I get to the topic of this post I want to mention two other possible places of interest before you go about your way. First, Sean Platt of Writer Dad is sharing a guest post on Up-And-Coming-Blogger today with which he will be laying down some hints of our latest project that we will be launching in January. Next, Vincent of Hit Your Goals has written a great post called, ‘30 Day Challenge To A Healthier Body‘, in which he shares some excellent insight about eating healthier and feeling great as he lays out his own personal 30 day challenge.

Now let’s get down to business…

In light of the holiday season I thought it would be appropriate to finish off our month’s topic of ‘Health’ with a few thoughts on enjoying those ‘less than healthy’ foods without totally feeling like we dropped the ball on our diet. I don’t know about you, but when a Turkey Day-esque meal comes my way only a few times a year, I’m not about to pass up the opportunity to get down with the apple pie. I love me some mash ‘taters and gravy and, oooohhhh, STUFFING!!! (Wait a minute. Let me wipe some of this drool off my face. OK, I’m good!) Did I mention I like to eat?

But something that I am MUCH more passionate about is feeling good; especially after a meal. For me, one of the worst feelings is that heavy, too full sensation. You know what I’m talking about, when you feel like it will take a week to digest everything in your stomach. And to top it off, it’s usually followed by the crash that comes from too many simple carbs and just too much food all together. You feel worthless and just want to go to sleep.

For the last couple of ‘seasons’ I’ve tried to be more mindful about what I eat during these events so I can maintain the wonderful benefits of a healthy diet. (I’m a firm believer that you don’t HAVE to go over board just because it’s ‘that time of year’.) But I also think that we can enjoy those tasty tidbits that wouldn’t normally frequent our fridge and still maintain those benefits. So here are some thoughts about joining those who are eating these fabulously tasty foods without feeling like CRAP after the dust has settled.

• Exercise before hand. In preparing your body for a larger than normal calorie intake, we should strongly consider getting a good workout. I like to go for a long run the morning of the big day. This way my metabolism is burning HOT and better prepared for that extra piece of pie.
• DO NOT SNACK! While the food is being prepared it’s easy to pick at the appetizers leading up to the big meal, but as we all know from restaurant experience, we should never fill up on bread. The good stuff is waiting at the dinner table, so just be patient. Much of our negative ‘after effects’ come from eating TWO meals in one sitting. The one before the turkey is served and the one after.
• Prepare for two helpings AND a dessert. One of the fun parts of holiday eating is that second helping of food. There’s just something exciting about going back for another round. But two helpings of food is 1 too many if you want to feel good after the table is cleared. So try and make each portion HALF what it would normally be. (This is a great chance to try many of the different dishes. Go for one kind of ‘taste’ with the first visit and then move to the other side of the palette persuasion.) Also, be sure to save room for the sweet stuff at the end. And I’m not talking about the kind of room where you have to FORCE it down, but actual comfortable room to be enjoyed.
• Take your time and CHEW your food. This is common healthy eating advice, but it’s absolutely essential during these big meals. Chewing your food properly will allow for better digestion and eating slowly not only does this, but allows more time for your brain to say, “OK, we’re all filled up!”
• Sample the desserts instead of eating them. Most holiday meals involve great varieties of sweet treats to enjoy. And for me, tasting this variety is half the fun. So instead of taking a whole piece of pie and then going back for some cookies and cake, prepare a plate with tiny samples of each desired treat. Try to size each piece in such a way that a tooth pick could easily become it’s handle. And then, instead of gorging yourself on too many of these baked goods, you will have one serving size of dessert where each bite will be filled with a different flavor of bliss!
• 30 minutes after the meal, take a walk. (I say 30 minutes because you want to give your body time to start digesting.) Getting your blood flowing after a big meal will aid in digestion and help in your transition into the rest of the day.
• Have something to look forward to AFTER the meal. When you are only focused on the meal of the day, you will be more likely to overeat. But when you have something else to capture your attention, you will more likely stop when finished as you’re attention is anticipating the future events. So figure out something that would be both enjoyable and rewarding and place it at the back end of this big meal.

The final point that I wanted to make was that no matter which way your holiday meals turnout, know that if you’re eating well 90% of the time, you should feel pretty good about the way you’re treating your body!

Now I’m off to spend some time with the family during this week of Thanksgiving. I hope all of you have a great rest of your week and I’ll see you on Monday!