Leave the Stuffing to the Turkey

It's not always easy to align our minds with our stomachs. Sometimes, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. When we see food that we want or are particularly hungry, it's easy to eat way more than our bodies can handle, especially around the holiday season. Who doesn't want a little extra turkey, green bean casserole and pie?

Sure, it's okay to treat yourself every now and then, however, you should also treat your body well and make sure you aren't putting it through too much overload just to temporarily satiate a sweet tooth.

Here are some things to keep in mind and keep your portions in check as you prepare for the delicacies and homemade goodness of the holidays:

·       Don't skip meals. If you're extra hungry, you're more likely to overeat.

·       When thinking about what to fill your plate with and what amount to eat, a good equation is to eat a portion of meat about the size of your palm, then fill the rest of your plate with carbs like vegetables and fruits and a little bit of fat. Colorful is a good thing when it comes to your plate.

·       Know the difference between serving size and portion size. Serving sizes per container are listed on the nutrition facts label. A small bag of nuts may say that it contains two servings, so if you're eating the whole bag—your portion size— you need to double the calorie, fat and carbohydrate information per serving to know how much will be satiating you.

·       Take breaks between bites. If you eat too fast, you're likely to keep eating and your mind will not realize how full your stomach already is.

·       If you want to get really serious about your portions, it is really easy to weigh and measure your food. Do it when you can with a food scale at your house, but don't stress when you are out to eat in a restaurant and you can't weigh and measure. Just make good choices!

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah - they're all on their way, and so is the food that comes with each of these special days. Enjoy it - the culture, festivities, and homemade treats. Just mind your portions. Nourish, don't stuff. Leave the stuffing to the turkey. 


-Sonia Daniels
The Daniels Family Foundation