Prioritize Your Indulgences
No matter how hard you try to eat healthy this Thanksgiving, there’s a good chance you’ll end up eating some unhealthy dishes. That’s fine; the trick is to prioritize your indulgences. In other words, pick and eat your absolute favorites and leave the other stuff behind.
So, if you absolutely love turkey and gravy, eat that. But if you’re not the biggest fan of mashed potatoes, skip that dish and fill your plate with roasted vegetables and salad. In the end, you’ll feel full and satisfied.

Make Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Traditional mashed potatoes are loaded down with salt, butter, cream, and other unhealthy things. Then, once this dish hits the plates, most people will ladle on a thick serving of fattening gravy.
Instead, try making a healthier cauliflower mashed potatoes side dish. It’s simple to make: just boil and mash cauliflower and use skim milk, garlic, and lemon to thicken it. In the end, you’ll have a dish that’s very similar to mashed potatoes, but just a fraction of the fat and calories.

Drink Lots of Water
Keeping hydrated this Thanksgiving can help you avoid weight gain by making you feel full for a longer period of time. It will also give you the energy needed to get up and about, helping you burn off calories.
If you can, avoid drinking sugary beverages—like soda, wine, or cocktails—and stick to drinking water as much as possible. This way you’ll only be consuming calories through your food, and not your food and drink (where there are a ton of hidden calories).

Emily Lockhart
Emily Lockhart is a weight loss expert who specializes in healthy living. She is dedicated to providing health-conscious individuals with the information they need to make great lifestyle choices that will make them look and feel better. In her spare time, Emily teaches Pilates at a local studio and enjoys activities like hiking, rowing and biking.