Thanksgiving is a Special Night

Everybody have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! For a few chuckles, watch this video from Saturday Night Live of Adam Sandler unveiling his "Thanksgiving Song."



I'll see you guys after the holiday!

Eating Too Much? Be Cautious

A disturbing story in the New York Times today about overindulgence on Thanksgiving:

"Indigestion, flatulence and the need to unbutton tight pants are the most common symptoms triggered by the Thanksgiving Day binge. But vast helpings of turkey, stuffing and candied sweet potatoes can take a more serious toll. Big meals can raise the risk for heart attack, gallbladder pain and dangerous drowsiness on the drive home."

I had no idea about the risk for the conditions listed in that last sentence. At least the risk of gastric rupture is low:

"Although your stomach may feel as if it will burst, gastric rupture is extremely rare, notes Dr. William Goldberg..."

The article does have some helpful tips that echo some of the stuff I posted last week;

"Simple strategies can help minimize the gluttony. Keep the serving dishes in the kitchen, so you won’t take extra helpings mindlessly. Use smaller serving spoons and plates. In one study, Brian Wansink, a researcher at Cornell University, found that the bigger the bowl and serving spoon, the more ice cream people tended to eat.

Stick to foods that require utensils — we eat finger foods faster than those that require a fork.

Finally, contribute to the dinnertime conversation. The more you talk, the less you’ll eat."

So, please be safe on Thursday, don't eat the whole pumpkin pie, and keep the flatulence to a minimum!

Staying Trim at Thanksgiving

CalorieControl.org has lots of healthy eating and lifestyle tips. With Thanksgiving coming up, here are a few to remember for the holiday.

• Make simple substitutions. Try preparing foods that are nutritious and satisfying yet low in calories. Reducing the amount of fat and calories in holiday meals can help prevent weight gain during the holidays. Create healthier versions of holiday favorites by using skim milk instead of whole milk, applesauce in place of oil, or a sugar substitute in place of the sugar in a recipe. To thicken a liquid without adding fat, use one of the following: flour, cornstarch, potato flakes, yogurt, non-fat evaporated milk.

• Start a new holiday tradition. Get everyone together for a holiday walk, a game of touch football, a volunteer activity, or even caroling. Check out the Get Moving Calculator on www.caloriecontrol.org to determine how many calories are burned through exercise. It’s easy to overindulge during the holidays so be sure to make time to work up a sweat and burn some calories.

• Do not deprive yourself. The holidays are a time for laughter, fun and food. Having a small slice of pumpkin pie will not lead to weight gain. Moderation is key. Take small servings of food, and allow yourself to enjoy the taste of each bite. Deprivation will only lead to overindulgence later.

And listen to this advice from dietitian Robin Steagall (I know her and she's really smart!): “The holiday season doesn’t have to lead to weight gain. With a few simple steps you can maintain your weight and still enjoy the season. It’s important to remember that the holidays are not about food and drinks but about spending time with friends and family.”

More Turkey Day stuff next week!