The annual food porn holiday of Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching.

As I make the preparations to pack up everything for our five day vacation at a beach house for the holiday, plan the menu, and make my lists of what to get from store in order to feed my entire family (they will be joining us for Thurs. and Fri. down the shore) - I am aslo coming up with ways to survive the day (and the vacation) without over eating and without going off my healthy eating plan.

Here’s some ideas I have so far:

  • Have a filling breakfast of plain oatmeal (with cinnamon and vanilla added for flavor) 
  • Keep lots of baby carrots, celery, etc. handy with my favorite fat free dressing for dipping throughout the day while food is being prepared.
  • Eat a BIG salad with fat free dressing for lunch and another one before  sitting down to dinner with the family so that I’m not starving when I sit down to eat.
  • Fill my dinner plate with some skinless turkey breast and lots of steamed veggies (all my favorites) - topped off with a spoonful of fat free turkey gravy (from a jar) to make it feel festive; for other foods that I want to sample I will have a small dallop (1 to 2 bites).
  • Have a pumpkin flavored treat - take a fat free vanilla pudding cup add a couple drops of Capella Flavor Drops, Pumpkin Pie (flavoring has no sugar, no calories).
  • Have some of my favorite flavor of diet soda as a special treat and drink LOTS of water.  I have been off diet soda now for a few months - so now if I have a glass its only for a rare special occasion, (i.e. if we go out to a movie or a vacation or a party).
  • Focus on what I am truly thankful for - my health, the love of my family and friends.
  • All leftovers will be packed up and sent home with family (I’ll keep some turkey to have the next day).
  • Taking a long walk each day of our vacation (the beach house is close to a wildlife bird sanctuary, a great spot for walks).
  • Make some family favorites in a healthier way (i.e. Mashed Potato Makeover - tips for lots of flavor, but less fat and calories).

What are some of your plans and tips for handling the holidays or other occasions when food is going to be overly abundant?  Let’s gather as many helpful tips and ideas as we can as way to support and encourage all of us to celebrate the holidays with health, happiness and family and not just over stuffing our bellies.  (Have a link to a post about tips let me know and I’ll add it below.)

Update: Anne-Marie author of This Mama Cooks blog has some great tips too:  5 Ways for Dieters to Deat with Holiday Feasts

Carol author of Kudos for Low Carb blog posted good information in her post Flipping the Holiday Calorie Equation in Our Favor.

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