For my Non-Canadians out there, this weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving. I’ll be sure to write another post for American Thanksgiving next month.

For some reason this meal seems hard, we walk away stuffed and feeling bloated every year! But the reality is, there is actually A LOT of healthy food on a Thanksgiving dinner table and staying on track should not be a problem. If you’ve committed to  eating healthy and not eating the bad stuff- this is not a hard holiday to do it. And if you want to have a little treat, this is also a great holiday to have a treat that won’t break the calorie and fat bank.

Scenario One- You’re ON IT. You want to stay healthy and stay away from the crap.

In situations like these, I don’t start with the potatoes, stuffing or pie.  Sometimes it’s the one taste that can get me going. I mentally prepare for passing on foods that are not good for me and then go out and enjoy the night without feeling lousy afterward. I focus on conversation with my family instead of the food.

• Appetizers. Thankfully these big meals normally mean no one serves appetizers. However, if you aren’t so lucky- stay clear. Unless it’s cut up veggies, the meal will have enough calories - you don’t need to add fuel to the fire with pre-meal food.
• Turkey. White meat turkey (sans skin) is not only healthy and lean, but it’s something you should definitely fill up on. The protein will help keep you feeling satisfied without filling stuffed.
• Gravy. Yup, turkey can be dry. A tablespoon of gravy is not going to kill you if it means you going to enjoy your turkey more.
• Greens. Every Thanksgiving table has some sort of green vegetable whether it’s brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus or green beans. Fill your plate with the green stuff and avoid pouring cheese sauce all over it.
• Salad. I know, no Thanksgiving dinner table has a green salad. Except for mine! If I’m invited somewhere for Thanksgiving I bring a salad to help out with dinner! And then, it’s there for me to eat!
• Potatoes. Another chance for you to pitch in! If you making dinner- instead of mashed potatoes with butter and cream- roast sweet potatoes and put fix’in out on the table so people can dress it themselves. WORD TO THE WISE- just because it’s a sweet potato does NOT mean it’s healthy. If someone is serving sweet potatoes with marshmallows and maple syrup… steer clear. NOT WORTH IT.
• Wine. Have ONE glass. A good time for your glass would be if appetizers are being served. Busy your hands and your mouth with your glass of wine instead of phylo covered brie.
• Dessert. We’ll this is the ON IT section so I’m going to say dessert the dessert! Have a warm cup of tea or decaf coffee to curb any craving you may have.

Scenario Two- You’re ON IT with a little give here and there.

• Follow the advice above and then decided what’s worth it to you.
• Skip the appetizers to save up for your treats at the dinner table.
• Stick to one glass of wine. Save those calories for the foods you only get a few times a year. Or skip the wine entirely!
• If it’s potatoes and stuffing your after, have a little! Fill your plate with lean protein and vegetables and add a tablespoon or two of your favorite dishes. But don’t go back for seconds. One trip is all you get!
• Dessert. Skip the pecan, go for 1/2 a slice of pumpkin. Have a peek a the nutritional information chart and you’ll see very clearly why pumpkin is the way to go.

* Stay away from Yorkshire Pudding. Yes, it’s delicious don’t get me wrong. But it’s baked in a muffin tin full of oil (seriously)and the batter sucks up all the oil as it cooks. Some people use lard for this! Your basically eat dough seeped in fat! I could not find an accurate calorie breakdown for these little bombs- but trust me. Stay away.

And of course, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!