On average, one person consumes around 4,000 calories on Thanksgiving. Turns out, all that dressing, dessert and booze add up. Turkey Day kicks off the season of snacking, and while we don’t suggest changing any near-and-dear traditions, a few healthy habits can keep you active and feeling great come November 28. Here, our best tips and tricks to ward off a holiday hangover.
WHAT TO DO
1. Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot
Start Thanksgiving out on the right foot with an eight-mile run or a 5K fun run/walk. The race starts at 9 am, so lace up your sneakers and hit the road while your turkey is roasting. For more information, visit http://www.thetrot.org.
2. Black Friday
Burn off a few post-Thanksgiving calories by fighting off large crowds pushing shopping carts full of discounted goods.
3. The Twelve Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum will unveil its 12 Days of Christmas exhibit on November 16. The ¾-mile evening walk through the exhibit doubles as a quick way to burn calories.
WHAT TO TRY
1. Paleo Principles
Fill your plate like the Pilgrims and Native Americans did back in the 1600s. That means more emphasis on veggies, ample protein, and less starch and sugar.
3. Get Out
Start a new family tradition that includes tossing the football or going for a walk. Enjoy the crisp weather before those ice storms hit North Texas.
3. Mashed Cauliflower
Want to fool your guests at dinner? This dish tastes just like mashed potatoes, minus the extra carbs! Scout’s honor.
What you’ll need:
1 medium head cauliflower, trimmed into small florets
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Step by step:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add cauliflower and cook until tender (about 10 minutes).
3. Set aside 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid and then drain well and transfer cauliflower to a food processor.
4. Add oil and water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and purée until smooth.
5. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
WHAT TO AVOID
1. Stretchy Pants
If you want to eat less, trade in your stretchy pants for your skinny jeans. I assure you, it will be harder to force down those extra slices of pie.
2. Naps
There is nothing worse than a nap to induce a food coma. Let’s hope the Cowboys can keep things interesting to avoid a mid-game snooze.
3. Leftovers
Leave Thanksgiving to just one day. Divvy up the leftovers to all your guests to keep the midnight snacking to a minimum. You’ll thank yourself come January.
