How to Give Thanks on Thanksgiving Without Giving in to Guilt

The holiday season is upon us and soon families will gather together and prepare homemade dishes for everyone to enjoy.   It's definitely a happy time of year, but most of the time, we usually end up eating so much food that we feel like we've gained 5 to 10 pounds, and then we become irritable, fatigued and full of guilt.

I have a question for you?  This year, would you rather, (A) starve yourself all day so you can eat more than your body can handle and feel awful afterward with nagging, negative guilty thoughts, or (B) nourish yourself before arriving at your big feast, enjoying your food, your company and leaving with beautiful, positive thoughts without guilt?

If you want your answer to be (B), then here's your assignment on how to give thanks on Thanksgiving Day without giving in to guilt  - well after the leftovers are gone.

1.    Be grateful

Start your day by giving thanks.   If you already write in a gratitude journal, write down all the things you are grateful for.  If you're not writing in one, start by writing down one or two in a notebook, or just saying to yourself what you're grateful for.   This is a wonderful way to start your day and to transition to a positive mindset.

2.    Self-care

On days like these, it may seem difficult to put yourself first. You're probably saying, make time for ME today?  Yeah right!  If you can find 5 to 10 minutes for yourself, you WILL notice that your day will go smoother.  You will feel more at ease, calmer and happier.   Take a walk outside, sit outside and soak up some sun, watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with your kids, read a chapter of your favorite book, listen to your favorite music (or, even better, start playing your favorite holiday music) and dance around the kitchen while you bake your pumpkin pie.

3.    Eat before the feast

Do you say, "I'm not gonna eat anything all day so I can fill up on turkey this afternoon?"  If so, what you're doing is causing your body to go into starvation mode.  When you finally eat, you're body thinks it's starving, and then as you gobble up your food, your body doesn't assimilate the food properly, which causes bloating, constipation and the desire to eat more.   You're doing your body more harm than good. So eat a healthy breakfast and/or lunch before your big feast.  Your body will thank you.

4.    Taste Test First

When you get in line for your turkey day eats, the best thing to do is put a little bit of everything on your plate. Then begin to try each food to see which ones tastes good to you.  Which foods have you saying, "MMMM, that’s SO GOOD!"  There's no rule that you have to eat everything on your plate.  If you don't like it, it's OK if you don't eat it.  Just go back and get the foods that really left you eager for more (and ask the person for the recipe).  Once you've chosen and you're sitting down again, slowly chew your food.   When you do this, you'll really taste your food and your digestion will operate the way it's supposed to.

5.    Thanksgiving food is healthy

Everyone talks about how turkey can cause you to feel sleepy, but did you know that it's a wonderful protein filled with Vitamin B6, Niacin and Selenium (a cancer protection nutrient)?  It's actually great for energy, especially if it's pasture-raised.  How about sweet potatoes?  They provide your body with fiber, beta-carotene and iron. It's a great dessert on its own.  Pumpkin is an antioxidant that helps lower the risk of heart disease. How do you feel about butter?  It's not very well liked these days, but it should be, especially if it's organic.  Butter is real food that helps the body absorb vitamins and minerals and provides the body with Vitamin A, E, K and selenium.    These foods are very nourishing, but when we add refined sugars to them, that's when problems arise.   And, remember, if you're eating whole foods 80% of the time, 20% non-whole food won't harm you.   So enjoy!

6.    Start a new family tradition

After the big meal, instead of lounging on the couch for the rest of the day, start a new tradition (after your nap).  Go for a family walk, have a family football game or take the kids to the park and run around with them.  Grab the men and tell them they HAVE TO participate in the family kitchen dance party (which consists of dancing, washing, drying and laughing).  Finding an activity that you and your family can do at the end of the day will move your body and put a smile on your face and your families.

7.    Have fun

No matter how your day goes, remember to laugh, have fun, catch up and be grateful for everyone who has touched your life.  When you eat food prepared with love, surrounded with good company, and slowly enjoying the pleasure of it all (rather than gobbling it up unconsciously), your body and mind will leave you feeling healthy, happy and whole.

If you feel like you would like more support as the holiday season approaches, contact me today to set up your "get acquainted" session.  I can't recommend this enough for you.  The more you understand how to eat for your unique body, the less you'll find yourself feeling guilty after eating a piece of pumpkin pie or a food you used to consider "bad.”  Contact me today at: renee@santeliving.com.

© 2008 Santé Living!  ® All Rights Reserved.

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Renée C. Yemma, The Food and Lifestyle Mentor, is founder of Santé Living! and the Whole Lifestyle System®, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly how to blossom your health without guilt, restrictions or deprivation.  To get your F.R.E.E. "101 Ways To Nourish Your Whole Self" by e-mail and receive her biweekly healthy living articles on loving delicious, nutritious foods and putting YOU first without feeling guilty about it, visit www.santeliving.com.

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