Katie Brietbach
Photo Editor

klbreitbach@valdosta.edu

Gluttony, one of the seven deadly sins, always seems to find its way to the thanksgiving table.
But this year you can stand up against those forcing it on you. This is not about saying no to the green bean casserole, stuffing, mash potatoes or even the pie. It is about being discrete. No one wants to count calories on Thanksgiving and just the same no one wants a calorie counter at their Thanksgiving table.

Be prepared for Thanksgiving Day and know what your friends and family usually prepare for the meal.  This way you can decide what and how much you are going to eat beforehand.

Don’t save all your calories for the Thanksgiving meal because you will end up eating more than you planed to.

“The best way not to gain weight is to eat proper and not gorging on food at once and be sure you get the proper exercise each day or at least every other day,” Lauren Dupuis, sophomore health and physical education major, says.

Eat a small breakfast and lunch. This way when dinner comes, you will not gourge on food and overeat.  If you help prepare the food for dinner keep gum in our mouth to prevent yourself from sneaking tastes while cooking.

When dinner comes around, think as though you are a rabbit and go for the greens.  People eat with their eyes and if your plate looks full with fresh and cooked vegetables you are less likely to add more fattening dishes to it.

Then after the vegetables, add turkey to your plate. Turkey is a lean white meat and a great source of protein.  But do not smear it in gravy, because it only adds unnecessary fat to you plate.  If you must have gravy on Thanksgiving put a small about on the side and dip your fork into it for flavor before picking up the turkey to eat.

When the fatting carbohydrate dishes make it around the table to you, decide what you have been looking forward to.  Try to pick two and place a small scoop on your plate.  Your plate should already be full from vegetable and turkey so there should not be much room for other dishes.

Now the bread has been passed to you.  Decide whether you would rather have bread now or pie later.

Okay. Say you choose the pie.

Try to go for the pie made with fruit, pumpkin or sweet potato. This way you will still be getting some nutrients from the pie ever though it is full of sugar.  Use a small plate and take a small slice. Once again people eat with their eyes and if the plate looks full you will be satisfied with the size of your slice of pie.

If you are the type of person who enjoys ice cream or whip cream with your pie, try having a glass of milk instead. The taste of milk will still satisfy your taste buds without the excess of sugar and calories.

After dinner, stay active. “People may become a little lazy while on they’re break. So they eat a lot of Thanksgiving food but forget to exercise while they are home,” Dupuis says.  Instead of taking a nap, go for a walk or play a game of football. The exercise does not have to be intense but every bit helps.

Healthy habits during the holidays are vital so you do not gain excess weight. “It’s very important not to gain excess weight because the more excess weight you have causes you to have other problems,” Dupuis says. “Overweight people have a high risk of getting diabetes, having heart attacks, your overall immune system is not up to par, you could have high cholesterol and blood pressure.”

Thanksgiving is about being thankful for your family and friends so enjoy the time you share with them and not do over indulge on the food.

Be wise and smart over Thanksgiving.