Thanksgiving is almost here. It’s a time for celebration and thankfulness, but it’s also a time of year when people who are trying to be careful about their weight can feel quite vulnerable. In a recent conversation with John La Puma, MD, he shared some suggestions he gives to his patients around the holidays. It’s a fresh (and doable) approach to the Thanksgiving meal that will allow your patients to participate socially without feeling anxious about (or destroying) their diet.
Three ways to approach this year’s holiday meal:
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- One is that you start or end the meal with a walk, outside – no matter the weather – then you are on the right track. I think we’ve lost that tradition in our country, and it’s an important one; to hang out with friends and family, anticipate the meal, enjoy it, and then, in a way, recap it with a walk. You can even walk before you eat – and/or after – but it’s an important part of the day.
- The second is to really enjoy the food. Food is so much more difficult to enjoy if you have a huge amount of guilt about it – like, “I’m eating this and I really shouldn’t” or, “I wonder how many calories this is.” If you have decided to sit down and enjoy it, then really embrace it – and don’t worry so much.
- And the third – and maybe most important – is simply to use the right plates. If you have a choice, if you are the hostess or host and you are setting the table for people, try using slightly smaller plates; six-inch plates / seven-inch plates with rims. Serve the food on individual plates in a beautiful way; if you’re not serving individual plates, then put serving dishes on the table in a beautiful way. It helps people capture the delight of eating and feasting together, and with that delight and beauty, you feed both their eyes and their stomachs.
If you would like to download a PDF version of the tip sheet to share with your patients, just click here to print or download. We only ask that you keep NICABM’s attribution on the printout when you share it with others.
So, enjoy yourself – and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
The truth just shines thgruoh your post
Great lists and thank you so much.
Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving closer to harvest time and harvest time relates to our shared geography.
I will be posting this on my blog as a holiday tip sheet for celebrations thereby covering off the personal: birthdays, and the social: holidays…while furthering NICABM by crediting them with this post. Win/Win.
Thank you Ruth.
Hi Sharmond, I tried to move your comment over to the coerrct post but couldn’t. Just so I don’t forget your comment here, would you please comment again in today’s post? I’d hate for you to miss the opportunity! Robin
HI RUTH,
I REALLY LIKE TIPS # 1 & 2 BUT WILL RESPECTFULLY DISREGARD #3. FOR ME, TIP #3 CONTRADICTS TIP#2 AND I SINCERELY BELIEVE IT ISN’T AS IMPORTANT WHAT YOU DO ON ONE DAY OF THE YEAR AS WHAT YOU DO ON THE OTHER 364.
AS FOR DIETS, I JUST DON’T BELIEVE IN THEM.
EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT ME THE BEST WAY TO BECOME HEALTHY AND ARRIVE AT OUR IDEAL BODY WEIGHT IS TO SIMPLY CHANGE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD.
THIS WEEK IN THE UK THURSDAY WILL PASS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER REGULAR WEEKDAY AND FEW HERE WILL EVEN REALISE IT IS A HOLIDAY ALTHOUGH GRATITUDE IS A WONDERFUL STATE TO HOLD AND OUR THOUGHTS WILL BE WITH YOU ACROSS THE POND ON THURSDAY.
AS A FAMILY, WE WILL APPLY THE TIPS AT CHRISTMAS DINNER.
IN THE MEANTIME, HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
THE DOOLEY’S