Thanksgiving is almost here! If you’re like me you love Thanksgiving. It is a time where you get to relax, spend time with the family, watch some football, drink some beer and have some delicious food!
Thanksgiving is a time when people generally eat too much and regret it later. We all know that feeling of eating a huge thanksgiving dinner and going to the couch to take a little nap before eating dessert.
In the spirit of the holidays I want to share with you three of the biggest tips to help you stay on track this Thanksgiving while still enjoying yourself.
Tip #1 Fill up on veggies and protein
The great thing about Thanksgiving is that there is all sorts of food, an abundance of protein, veggies, carbs, and fats. You are probably going to eat some of each and that is perfectly cool! My number 1 tip is to think about eating your protein and veggies first. Luckily turkey is a lean source of protein and there is plenty of it. Make the first thing 
you put on your plate some turkey. However, be aware of how much gravy you put on your turkey as it is higher in fat. If you are like me and hate the dry taste of the white meat add in some dark meat.
Next there is no shortage of vegetables at Thanksgiving. These should be the second things you place on your plate. Aim to eat different kinds, some broccoli, carrots, string beans, and whatever else there is. If possible try to find out how the vegetables were prepared, some people like to cook them in tons of butter, which gives it a great taste, but 
remember that is extra fat. Now that your plate is 2/3 full place whatever else you would like on the plate. Go for those mashed potatoes, or bread stuffing and enjoy yourself. If you can fill your plate first with protein and vegetables there will be less room for those carbs and you will feel more full and satisfied faster.
Tip #2 Match Every Alcoholic Drink with Water
Thanksgiving generally involves some drinking and if you like to have a few cocktails that’s cool go for it. One little trick that will help reduce the amount of alcohol you consume is to match every alcoholic drink you have with a glass 
of water, just alternate the two. This will help you for a few different reasons. First, it will allow your body to process the alcohol better, second it will reduce the total amount of alcohol you consume.
Tip #3 Save Room For Dessert
Yes you read that correctly I said to save room for dessert. I am not going to be that guy that says don’t eat dessert or make some crazy new “healthy” brownie recipe that tastes dirt. Thanksgiving in my opinion has some of the best 
desserts ever, those warm pies and brownies are just irresistible. If you want to have dessert go for it! Just plan accordingly early In the night. Maybe don’t grab that third handful of chips before dinner, or don’t go for the second serving of mashed potatoes at dinner. Try not to stuff yourself early on in the night so you can have that slice of pie and enjoy it.
Those are my three tips to help you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day.
If you are going to completely ignore everything I just said that is fine, but please follow this one last tip.
Don’t let “Thanksgiving Day “ turn into Thanksgiving weekend. Enjoy yourself on Thursday and get back to your great habits on Friday!
Do not fall for the “Screw it effect” and go crazy all weekend!
I wish you all a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I am thankful everyday to have such an amazing job working with wonderful people who all just want to get 1% better every day.
-Coach Pat
