Sticking to a Diet During Thanksgiving Events and Celebrations

You've been diligent about your diet, and you don't want to regain the weight you've lost during Thanksgiving events and celebrations. Here's how to fight temptation without insulting your host.

Indulge in a Little Pre-Dinner Snack
Eat an apple 30 to 45 minutes before Thanksgiving dinner, and you won't be as likely to overeat. Plus, apples have fiber, which will aid in digestion, and they have many health benefits.

Know the Safe Foods
Turkey: The star attraction of Thanksgiving, turkey, is a great diet food. White meat is lean, low in calories and high in protein. But don't eat the skin, and skip the stuffing or keep the serving small.

Gravy: Do not drown your turkey in gravy. But, you can ladle a tablespoon or so onto your plate and dip the tines of your fork in it before taking a bite of turkey. That way, your turkey won't be as dry, but you won't overindulge.

Sweet Potatoes: We're not talking about the ones smothered in butter, brown sugar and marshmallows. If boiled or baked, sweet potatoes are very healthy sources of vitamin A, low in calories, filling and tasty. Enjoy them.

Vegetables: Remember to avoid veggies in creamy sauces or with lots of butter or cheese. Roasted vegetable dishes are a good substitute for casserole sides. Salads are also great.

Cranberry Sauce: Cranberries are high in antioxidants and bursting with flavor. You can feel free to use cranberry sauce in place of turkey gravy to give your turkey some zing. If the turkey happens to be a little dry or overcooked, cranberry sauce adds the right amount of moisture and flavor.

Pumpkin Pie: Did you know that you can even have some dessert? Yes, that's right. Pumpkin pie is okay for a small slice. It's dense and not overly high in sugar. If you can resist eating the crust, you'll be even better off.

Water: Keep a water glass handy at all times. Drinking plenty of water will help you feel full, and you'll be less tempted to have juice, soda or alcohol, which are high in sugar and calories.

Burn It Off
A walk after Thanksgiving dinner and your 30-minute workout the next morning will help keep you on track and burn off any extra calories from the night before.

You can enjoy Thanksgiving and stick to your diet plan without torturing yourself or being rude.