So many people view the Thanksgiving holiday as how much they can eat. There are ways to enjoy your meal without feeling like you have totally blown your diet.

1. Don’t starve yourself before Thanksgiving dinner. If you eat dinner at 2:00 p.m., eat breakfast and a little snack around noon so you are not ravenous at the meal.

2. Play relaxing holiday music during dinner. Studies have shown that people eat more slowly when slower music is playing.

3. Turn off the tv and eat at the dining room table. When you eat in front of the tv, it becomes mechanical eating and you tend to eat more and will not enjoy your meal.

4. Enjoy your Thanksgiving favorite dishes. If you feel deprived, you will eat more or binge at a later date. So, take a little bit of your favorites…even pie…and enjoy your food.

5.  It is not a race! A way to slow down your eating is to put your fork down in between bites. It is so frustrating as a cook, to cook for days and people eat the Thanksgiving meal in 5 minutes! There is plenty of food. Take your time and enjoy it!

6. Don’t wash your food down with your drinks. Chew your food well, you will digest it better and feel more satisfied with your meal.

7. After your nap, take a walk. Even if it is cold, bundle up and go for a walk. It will help your digestion.

Don’t let Thanksgiving give you the excuse to blow your diet for the entire holiday season!  You had your Thanksgiving meal, now get back on the wagon the next day. Every meal is a new opportunity to make a better choice.

So enjoy your Thanksgiving!