This Simple Trick Will Stop You Overeating At Thanksgiving

thanksgiving dinner table
Image via iStock

With American Thanksgiving just days away, turkey, potatoes, and pie are all that are on our minds (apart from serious family time and giving thanks, of course). But while the holidays are all about indulgences and #CheatDays, there is a way to make Thanksgiving dinner a healthy meal.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recently revealed that the best way to make your dinner as healthy as can be is to just slow down.
According to the AHA, people who eat slower, take their time to savor bites and generally practice mindful eating, are less likely to become obese and develop metabolic syndrome — which can put you at risk of also developing heart disease, diabetes, and having a stroke.

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Stuffing Ring With Cranberry Sauce⠀ ?Did you know that you can customize your own Tastemade cookbook? Link in bio.⠀ INGREDIENTS:⠀ 1/2 cup butter⠀ 1/2 yellow onion, diced⠀ 1 celery stalk, diced⠀ 1 teaspoon salt⠀ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper⠀ 2 tablespoons finely chopped sage⠀ 3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley⠀ 2 tablespoons thyme⠀ 1 loaf day-old bread, cubed⠀ 4 large eggs, beaten⠀ 2 cups chicken stock⠀ ⠀ CRANBERRY SAUCE:⠀ 2 cups whole cranberries⠀ 3 tablespoons sugar⠀ 1 cup water⠀ Peel of one orange⠀ Pinch of salt⠀ 1/8 cup orange juice⠀ ⠀ STEPS:⠀ For the stuffing – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line a 12-cup Bundt pan with baking spray. Set aside.⠀ In a large Dutch oven, heat butter until melted and saute onion until golden, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Add celery, salt and pepper. Add the herbs and mix. Add bread cubes and coat evenly with butter mixture.⠀ In a large bowl, combine eggs and chicken stock. Add breadcrumb mixture and coat evenly. Pour into prepared Bundt pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden. Set aside to cool.⠀ For the cranberry sauce – In a medium stockpot, combine cranberries, sugar, water, orange peel and salt. Simmer for up to 25 minutes until the cranberries break down and the sauce thickens. Add orange juice and set aside to cool.⠀ Assemble the stuffing ring – Flip stuffing out onto a serving platter. Pour cranberry sauce into a small bowl and place inside the Bundt ring. Serve warm.⠀ #thanksgiving #thanksgivingdinner #stuffing #cranberrysauce #cranberries #orangejuice #thyme

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Japanese researchers even evaluated nearly 1,000 people (both men and women), and found that after five years of research, “faster eating speed was associated with more weight gain, higher blood glucose and larger waistline,” the AHA reported.
“Eating more slowly may be a crucial lifestyle change to help prevent metabolic syndrome,” said Takayuki Yamaji, M.D., study author and cardiologist at Hiroshima University in Japan. “When people eat fast they tend not to feel full and are more likely to overeat. Eating fast causes bigger glucose fluctuation, which can lead to insulin resistance.”


In fact, the simple act of slowing down and savoring your Thanksgiving meal — and generally practising more mindful eating — has been found to actually help you eat less, realize when you’re fuller faster, and generally improve your happiness with a meal.
Think about it. Taking a few extra seconds (in chewing time) to really savor each flavor, savory or sweet, can help you pay attention and appreciate the dish. And in turn, slowing down your entire process will alert your body when you’re satiated, helping you realize you’re no longer hungry (though your eyes may be).

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It is seriously ridiculous how ginormous that turkey breast looks compared to my Baby Hands!!! ??? Hand size aside, this is without a doubt the easiest and safest way to cook turkey breast to ensure it comes out nice and juicy instead of dry – and it’s so darn tasty! That rub is delicious, and the juices make an INCREDIBLE gravy. ?? N x ❤️ Ps YES THAT IS A SLOW COOKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . Slow Cooker Turkey Breast . INGREDIENTS 2 kg / 4 lb turkey breast, skin on, boneless or bone in, single or double breast (if using frozen, thaw it) 1 head of garlic, cut in half horizontally 1 onion (brown, yellow or white), unpeeled, cut in half 5 sprigs of thyme (or 2 tsp dried thyme leaves) Rub: 1½ tsp each garlic powder and onion powder 1 tsp paprika, 2 tsp salt, 5 grinds of black pepper 2 tbsp olive oil Gravy: Chicken stock/broth (or water), for topping up liquid if needed 4 tbsp butter, ¼ cup flour Salt and pepper . DIRECTIONS 1. Mix together Rub ingredients to make a wet paste. 2. Place garlic, onion and thyme in the bottom of the slow cooker cooker, cut side down. 3. Pat turkey dry, rub with Rub, using most on top. 4. Place turkey on garlic etc. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. See full recipe on my site for cook time for different turkey weights / sizes. 5. Remove turkey, rest for 20 min before crisping the skin. 6. Crisp the Skin: Preheat grill/broiler to high. Place an oven shelf 30cm / 1 foot from the heat source. Broil turkey 3 to 5 min until the skin is browned. 7. Gravy: Strain the liquid into a measuring jug, squishing the garlic etc. If you are short of 2 cups, top up with chicken broth. 8. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and mix to combine. Pour about ½ cup of liquid into the flour mixture and mix until it forms a paste. Slowly add remaining liquid, stirring as your go. Use a whisk if required. Simmer until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with turkey. . . . #recipetineats #ourplatesdaily #foodgawker #FoodWineWomen #feedfeed #f52grams #thekitchn #thatsdarling #tastespotting #TODAYFoodClub #buzzfeast #bhgfood #huffposttaste #recipe #igfood #instayum #hautecuisines #huffpostgram #recipevideo #thanksgivingturkey #turkeybreast

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And if you want a little lighter Thanksgiving fare to begin with, try these nutritionist-approved holiday treats that won’t ruin your health routine. Along with eating them slower, they could be the key to surviving this holiday with no major gut busters.

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