Do you find our website to be helpful?
Yes   No
Skip to main content

Does Thanksgiving have to mean overeating?

Your grandma’s dinner roll recipe. Your mom’s stuffing. And your amazing mashed potatoes. Along with turkey, cranberries and all the other fixings, you look forward to Thanksgiving for weeks. With all this deliciousness served only once a year, do you really deny yourself?

Of course not!

However, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, most Americans never lose the weight they gain during the winter holidays.  The pounds add up year after year, making holiday weight gain an important factor in adult obesity. 

So how can you enjoy all these special foods without jeopardizing your health? Two words: Portion control. And we’ll add another phrase to that: customized just for you.

Published portion sizes are one-size-fits-all and that’s just silly. A 6’6” man needs more calories to just get through the day that a 4’11” woman. So how do you determine what’s the right portion size for you? Just look at your hand.

Going back for seconds during the same meal? Unless you took just half of your portions, don’t do it, or you’ve now eaten twice as much as your body can reasonably consume.

As for the pie and cakes, denying yourself completely only sets you up for failure, as you feel deprived or end up with your head in the fridge and a fork in the leftovers. Pick your favorite and have a small slice, about the size of your middle finger.

The holidays happen once a year, and good food is a vital part of family and fun holiday experiences.  Portion control is about listening to our bodies and noticing our fullness signals as we celebrate together.  

Still having trouble? Use these quick rules to help navigate holiday eating.

Questions about portion size or your digestive health? Call 773-238-1126 or click here to make an appointment with Dr. Darrien Gaston and Metropolitan Gastroenterology Consultants. Dr. Gaston is always happy to help!

Author
Metro Gastroenterology Consultants

You Might Also Enjoy...

Does BMI really hold the key to understanding your health, or is it simply a number? Here’s what your BMI can and can’t revea

What Your BMI Can Tell You About Your Health

Does BMI really hold the key to understanding your health, or is it simply a number? Here’s what your BMI can and can’t reveal about your health and what to do when it’s telling you you’re at risk.
Is Heartburn the Same as Acid Reflux?

Is Heartburn the Same as Acid Reflux?

You often see the terms heartburn and acid reflux together, and sometimes, they’re used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Here’s the difference between heartburn and acid reflux, and more importantly, what you can do about them. 
Why Do I Keep Getting Hemorrhoids?

Why Do I Keep Getting Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are itchy, bleeding, painful, and embarrassing. Getting them once is annoying, but when they keep recurring, it’s downright unbearable. Here’s why hemorrhoids tend to revisit you and how to stop them for good.
When to Consider Surgery for Crohn’s Disease

When to Consider Surgery for Crohn’s Disease

When Crohn’s disease goes from annoyingly inconvenient to unbearable and dangerous, it means you’re current treatment isn’t getting the job done. Here are the signs that it’s time to think about surgery.
 6 Foods to Avoid with Ulcerative Colitis

6 Foods to Avoid with Ulcerative Colitis

Set down your coffee cup and step away from those fries. Once you know how food and drink affect your ulcerative colitis symptoms, you can regain control of your life.