Top Ten Tips for an Enjoyable Thanksgiving

Lighter Thanksgiving Strategies

November 26, 2014   32 Comments

I hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

This list is for those of us who go into Thanksgiving blindly without considering all the things that can go wrong. I am a worrier by nature so I thought I would put together a few of my tips for dealing with Thanksgiving mishaps and issues (such as eating so much food that you have to lay down for a few hours).

Please add any of your own tips in the comment section.

  1. Do not throw your food. I don’t care if Uncle Charlie is making you angry with his bizarre political views - keep it together.
  2. No snacking. The main event is enough to fill you for days.
  3. Take a walk. If you don’t have a good trail or sidewalk to walk on then do a short exercise video. This will help you decompress before the red wine starts to pour.
  4. Fill your own plate. If you can - look for a smaller plate and a smaller glass to keep your portions in check.
  5. Hide in the bathroom. When you need a break, find a bathroom FAR away from everyone else and read or do a puzzle on your phone. (you will thank me for this one later)
  6. Enjoy your food. Do not go on and on about how the food is going on your hips.
  7. Drink sparkling wine or champagne instead of beer or wine. Only 90 calories per glass and oh so festive.
  8. Only eat the homemade desserts. Store bought is not for you on Thanksgiving.
  9. If you have a cooking disaster toss it out before anyone notices and DO NOT CRY. Just kidding - you can cry! Remember, Thanksgiving is about family and friends – not the food.
  10. Freeze the leftovers immediately. Keeping all that food where you can see it in your fridge will lead to more overeating. I know all about turkey, cranberry, and stuffing sandwiches at 2 AM.

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First 20 Comments: [ see all 32 ]

Cute article! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

on November 26, 2014

Thank you for these helpful tips, Lisa!! I just have to say, that you and your blog are two of the things I feel thankful for!

on November 26, 2014

Thank you Lisa! Once again your insights with a touch of humor have brightened up my day :) As I say to the computer on a regular basis "I love you Snack Girl". The computer doesn't respond but my husband gets a kick out of it if he happens to hear me. Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving!

on November 26, 2014

Hi Snack Girl and Happy Thanksgiving from Toronto. Love your emails. I am buying your book today!

on November 26, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving, Snack Girl! I am thankful for you! Keep those great tips coming!

on November 26, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for all the tips and recipes all year. I am very thankful I found your blog.

on November 26, 2014

I am thankful for:
1. This blog and the insightful happy lady who writes it.
2. The information and tips that I've picked up from Lisa and her readers.
3. The food drives and food pantries and all of the people helping anyone who doesn't have enough to eat.
4. The people who love us, no matter what.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

on November 26, 2014

Relax - it's a time to enjoy family and friends so don't stress the small stuff. Just being together is enough (or enough reason to drink)

Gobble gobble!

on November 26, 2014

Eat slowly, drag out each course, fill time with family tales, this year I'm having old black & white photos brought out to kick off the stories/memories, ending with a few from the 80's & 90's. I'll stick 'em in the mirror over the sideboard.

Invite single people you know who may be without family this year. We have a single friend whose mom is recently in a home due to alzheimers and another whose family is in Florida. New memories!

Happy Thanksgiving Lisa and everyone reading this!

on November 26, 2014

Thank you Lisa for your wit and for making eating healthier a little easier. I consider you a friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

on November 26, 2014

THANK YOU LISA! AM ENJOYING YOUR BOOK. SO MANY WONDERFUL, INSIGHTFUL AND HUMOROUS TIPS. I AM SO HAPPY TO READ YOUR ARTICLES EVERY DAY ON YOUR POSTS. ALWAYS CHECK EVERY MORNING TO START THE DAY. HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

on November 26, 2014

Wishing you & your family, a Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you for the funny post.

on November 26, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving to you and family!!!

on November 26, 2014

As usual your suggestions are spot on and much appreciated.

on November 26, 2014

Thanks for the funny post! And AMEN to number 6. Enjoy this day. No tofurkey will be allowed within 3.1428 miles of the house! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

on November 26, 2014

Great tips! Happy Thanksgiving!

on November 26, 2014

Thank you, Snack Girl, for all you do all year 'round! I look forward to your emails and I love, love, love your book! I feel like you are a friend with whom I spend quality time and who cheers me on. Have a blessed Thanksgiving with you and your loved ones!

on November 26, 2014

Thanks so much for all the gratitude. I am thrilled I can help!
Best,
Snack Girl AKA your BFF

on November 26, 2014

I laughed out loud at the end when you wrote about the turkey cranberry and stuffing sandwiches at 2:00 am. Last Thanksgiving, I had a gobbler sandwich for three days in a row and even posted a picture of it on FB - I was in heaven - my only saving grace was that I am a WW's for Life person and knowing how much real bread is the enemy and accountable for most of the dreaded points, I had it on an Arnold's Sandwich Round which took away some of the guilt to some degree...seriously though, great tip about freezing left overs immediately - I may have to do that because I ate for days afterwards last year!

on November 26, 2014

I'm thankful for you Lisa and all your help to so many folks. I am MOSTLY thankful that God gave Hus PRECIOUS Son to die for someone like me. !!!

on November 26, 2014

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