Thanksgiving is here, and with it my memory of the most delicious turkey dinner ever. In fact, I feel like I never want to eat turkey again.
Last year, my sister-in-law cooked the most delicious bird, a meal I want implanted in my food memory forever. My sister-in-law and I share a love of food, but her cooking is not restrained by any dietitian-like tendencies.
In general, dietitians are not good at using large amounts of butter or sugar. We are always trying to make things more whole grain or lower in saturated fat. But sometimes these ingredients are the answer. So, my sister-in-law took her turkey and covered it with buttery home-made stuffing, and then wrapped the whole thing in prosciutto before roasting it.
She topped this off with a homemade Tourtiere, mashed potatoes, white buns and an assortment of vegetables. Needless to say, I left this meal stuffed.
Many people trying to lose weight get worried about Thanksgiving because the choices are usually not low-calorie or low-fat.
Even for people with great self-control, it is difficult not to overeat. Luckily, the purpose of Thanksgiving is gratitude, not weight loss. It is time to say thank you for all our blessings about which we often forget. Furthermore, dieting should be more about accountability rather than culpability.
Overeating on occasion is not a crime. Rather than feel guilty, acknowledge that it is okay to overeat on this special occasion. Or choose a more proactive route; precede the supper with a game of touch football with your kids, or go for a walk. Mindfully decide that you will fill half your plate with veggies or not go back for seconds.
Invite an elderly neighbour or single person over to share in the feast and send home the leftovers. Enjoy the meal, be thankful and avoid self-judgment. Be thankful for the opportunity to overeat, and share it with people you love!