Thanksgiving begins high energy—playing touch football in the yard; prepping, mashing, mixing and stuffing the food; running out of the kitchen after you sneak a taste of something before the cook allows it. But then, the food coma hits. Suddenly, you’re as bloated as one of the Macy’s parade balloons, and moving seems as big of a task as a pilgrimage to a new country. Avoid this sloth-like behavior on Turkey Day with these simple changes in your Thanksgiving routine.
Before Dinner
Eat breakfast
The adage “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” seems blatantly false when Thanksgiving is literally all about eating. But your breakfast can make or break your Thanksgiving plans. Eat something light and healthy but enough to keep you full for most of the day. Skipping lunch is okay since Thanksgiving dinner is usually early, but breakfast will prevent overeating.
Drink water
Sometimes what feels like hunger is really just thirst. Drinking water before your meal will fill up your stomach, so you feel less hungry. Plus it will aid in digestion later. Skip the cocoa and go for H2O.
During Dinner
Take breaks
Everyone’s metabolism works differently, but waiting some time between firsts and second or even bites can help your body recognize that you are full. Instead of scarfing down a mountain of mashed potatoes as big as the Mayflower in the time it takes to say “not it” when it comes to who is doing the dishes, take your time. You can actually answer all of the awkward questions your family members throw at you between bites.
Save some leftovers
You can’t eat what is already in the Ziploc in the fridge. Out of sight, out of your belly. Plus, if you know you already have leftovers (with your name on it a million times to protect against thieves), then you will be able to stop yourself from eating too much in the moment.
After Dinner
Eat a snack with healthy fats and high protein
Protein and fats will help aid digestion, whereas simple carbs (looking at you potatoes, corn and rolls) will increase the effects of tryptophan, the hormonal culprit for your sleepiness. Even though eating more after your Thanksgiving meal seems counterintuitive, you’ll thank your plate for the rise in energy.
Drink coffee
A cup of joe will perk you up enough to deal with Uncle Joe and his monologue about Donald Trump. Coffee stimulates your sympathetic nervous system, your fight or flight mechanisms, while digestion is in your parasympathetic nervous system. Your body will be focused on keeping you alert rather than digesting, so you won’t feel the effects of your food coma.
Stay smart and not sluggish this Thanksgiving with these tips. Nobody wants to be taken down by a food coma this holiday; the slowest turkey is the one that ends up on the table.