I love Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite, if not my favorite holiday. The thing I don't love is the huge fatty bloated feeling I get afterward, so I dug up a few ways we can still enjoy the meal, but avoid over eating. 

I look forward to the Thanksgiving meal all year. Sometimes I make the Thanksgiving food in March and I've even been known to throw a turkey breast and potatoes on the grill in the summertime, but nothing beats putting a little bit of turkey on your fork, running it through the gravy and potatoes, stabbing at the stuffing and then running it through the cranberry sauce and taking a big bite, but sometimes we're in such a hurry to eat it all, we forget that it takes some time for our stomach to signal our brains that we're full.

The best idea here is to eat slower and just wait. When you've cleared your plate, set your fork down and strike up a conversation with the person next to you, but you shouldn't start your conversation with "Could you please pass the _________?" Ask what they've been doing, what's up at work, or how the kids are and what they've been doing. It will pass the time quicker instead of having to watch the seconds tick by waiting until your body says you're full. Experts say that it takes 20 minutes for the signal to reach your brain to stop eating, so clear your plate and then wait.

You know you're eating a big meal, but that doesn't mean you have to starve yourself all day. Make sure you eat throughout the day, but eat the right things. Higher fiber fruits and vegetables give you good nutrition and keep you fuller longer so you don't snack and sample while you're cooking. It's also important to drink plenty of water before the meal and afterward if you're planning on drinking so you can flush your system and keep hydrated. Water also fills your stomach so you eat less.

Don't deprive yourself. It's a special day filled with loved ones, so make sure you enjoy it.

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