Thanksgiving is tomorrow! It’s a day to be grateful, enjoy friends, family and of course the FOOD.

BUT-we don’t have to walk away from the table with frustration and guilt because we’ve made bad choices and overindulged. Life is all about balance and we can be conscious about our daily choices, even on this holiday. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your food while not sacrificing your mental and physical health.

Tip 1: Watch your portions
Most of your plate should be filled with vegetables and lean protein and also fruit. Foods with a higher water content will keep you feeling full. Then you can leave the other 1/3-1/4 of your plate for the sides. Think of it as a sampling instead of loading the entire plate with carbohydrates. Just enjoy the tastes and flavors and don’t overdo it. Your waistline will thank you.

Tip 2: Don’t skip your exercise
We know the holiday is a busy and stressful time but make it a point to take at least 30 minutes to exercise, whether it’s a brisk walk or run, weight lifting, yoga or whatever gives your metabolism a boost. It’s also a great idea to take a 10-20-minute walk after the meal. This will reduce that “food coma” feel. If you haven’t exercised yet this year, Thanksgiving a wonderful time to start. Why wait until New Year’s Day? Be grateful for your health and invite your friends and family to join you and make it a tradition.

Tip 3: Eat slowly
We all lead such busy lives and it’s often hard to slow down. This goes for mealtimes as well. Use tomorrow as a reminder to slow down. Rest your fork between each bite and fully chew and enjoy the flavors of your food instead of shoveling it in as fast as you can. Talk with everyone at the table and use the time to digest your food. It takes at least 30 minutes for your brain to get the message that you’re satisfied. Also, space out the time between dinner and dessert.

Tip 4: Go light on the alcohol
Try not to forget that alcohol doesn’t fill us up the same way as food does so it’s easy to have a few drinks in a short amount of time and those calories can add up very quickly. Try to limit it by having one light beer, glass of wine, wine spritzer or a “skinny” cocktail. Alcohol spikes your blood sugar quickly so be mindful of that throughout the day. Stay hydrated with water or sparkling water in between alcoholic beverages if you choose to have more than one.

Tip 5: Have some protein before the big meal
A lot of people think that if they skip meals earlier in the day that will save them calories for later but it ends up backfiring. You’ll end up hungrier later and it will affect your blood sugar, causing your body to store fat, instead of burning it. Eat a small meal that’s rich in protein a few hours before dinner. Even a healthy protein shake will suffice. Doing this will take the edge off hunger and set you up for success when it comes to making healthier choices during mealtime.

We hope you enjoyed these tips and we also hope you find tons of things to be grateful for. Have a safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving!