How To: Survive Thanksgiving Dinner

Worried about Thanksgiving? Don’t let this yearly feast fill you with dread. With the right attitude, you are more than capable of handling Thanksgiving dinner while keeping your health in mind. Check out these 5 strategies to deal with the social pressure to overeat.

Think Positive

Don’t enter Thanksgiving believing that you’ll gain weight no matter what. Thanksgiving does not have to be an all or nothing holiday. Think positive and believe that you have the willpower to be strong during this holiday. Set reminders in your calendar to recall why you’re eating healthy to give you some motivation.

Eliminate the Unknown

If you aren’t making Thanksgiving dinner yourself, it’ll be hard to know what’s on the menu and what ingredients are being used. Do your best to eliminate the unknown by bringing your own healthy side dish. Not only are you being a thoughtful guest, but you will also ensure that there is something healthy for you to add to your plate.

Prepare for Politeness

There is always one family member who’ll encourage you to have a second helping or try to pile food onto your plate. Come up with 2-3 polite responses ahead of time. If Aunt Susie won’t stop pushing her homemade apple pie on you, politely divert the subject — “Sorry, I can’t have any. I’m driving!” It’s easier to say no when you have a response prepared, so keep it light and politely change the subject.

Build Your Own Army

Research published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that those who had the support of a buddy who successfully lost weight were more successful at losing weight themselves. Fighting temptation is hard, but it becomes much easier with the support of friends and family. If you don’t have friends and family who are on the same journey as you, turn to your Noom Group, a built in support system that can help you to stay strong.

Be Honest with Yourself

Writing down what you’re eating every day in Noom will increase your awareness and make sure you don’t accidentally over eat during the holidays.  If you’re eating healthy, it’s OK to indulge once in a while. Logging your meals will let you know just how much wiggle room you have each week and keep you from feeling guilty.