4 Ways to Have a Mindful Thanksgiving

Something I hear regularly after Thanksgiving is how stuffed everyone feels after dinner. Even the next day you may feel sluggish from the night before. Many people put off eating all day to “save their calories” for dinner. Then, they are so ravenous at dinnertime that they quickly eat their way through the meal without savoring any of it.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that’s main focus is the food, however, I can’t even tell you how many times I have heard people say they don’t even remember what they ate. They approached the dinner table so hungry that they just eat what was in front of them instead of carefully curating a meal that would be most enjoyable.

Another challenge with Thanksgiving dinner is all the distractions. From the television in the corner with the football game blasting to the dozens of conversations, it’s easy to become sidetracked. Distracted eating can also lead you to ignore your hunger and satiety cues.

With all this in mind, you may be tempted to “forget” about intuitive eating for the day and start the journey again tomorrow. However, the good news is that you can still be a mindful eater, even on Thanksgiving. There are a few things that you can keep in mind throughout the day to keep you on track.

Here are the 4 Ways to Have a Mindful Thanksgiving:

1. Stay Conscious

It’s easy to lose yourself in all the food, conversation, and football.  If you maintain an awareness of your food choices, and the amount of food you are serving yourself and eating, you will better stay attuned to your body. When you are eating, tune out the distractions, and focus on how your body is feeling at that time. This can be difficult in a social situation, but if you set your intentions out in the morning, you can do it!

2. Start Small

With all the delicious foods on the table, you may be tempted to give yourself a large serving of everything. You may even fall prey to “my eyes are bigger than my stomach.” Once the food is on your plate it can be easy to feel guilted into finishing it all to avoid food waste. Start with small portions of the foods you want to eat; if you are still hungry, you could always have more.

3. Listen to Your Body

Do you belong to the “clean your plate club”?  This year commit to staying present and listening to your body’s signals as you are getting satiated. When you feel comfortably full, stop eating. Whether you’re at a restaurant or a family member’s house, you can always wrap up the rest of your food and take it home. After all, leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving dinner.

4. Pace Yourself

During the meal, pacing yourself is key. Put your fork down between bites of food and use this time to talk to relatives or self-reflect. This pause allows your brain to register the food that is entering your stomach. Your body will be able to signal when you are satisfied and have eaten enough.

The holidays can be difficult for someone who has just started the intuitive eating journey.  Resisting the urge to overeat can be hard to overcome.  But you can do it!

If you’re looking for support, come on over to my Free Facebook Group – Intuitive Eating for a Diet Free Life!