America’s favorite feast is upon us.
For those of you looking to enjoy as much Thanksgiving fare as possible during this year’s holiday meal, we turned to advice from dietitians, competitive eaters and other sources for tips.
Get some exercise
If you want to maximize your intake of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and other Thanksgiving delicacies, don’t be a couch potato before the big meal.
Exercise can help burn some calories in advance of the meal while boosting your appetite and moving food through your digestive system more quickly.
So take a brisk walk or jog in the morning or play a game of pickup football with the family. To really get your juices flowing, participate in a local Turkey Trot. Greensburg and Pittsburgh both hold the traditional Thanksgiving morning runs.
Avoid fasting
Fasting constricts the stomach, leaving less space for food.
Dietitians suggest sticking to your regular meal schedule, but don’t eat four to six hours before the main event. Yogurt or nuts are a good snack before Thanksgiving dinner to help get your metabolism working right.
Competitive eaters will often drink a lot of liquids to stretch their stomachs out before a big meal, so if you are treating Thanksgiving as a contest, get to drinking.
Remain calm
Don’t get all riled up. It could hinder your quest for a full belly.
Getting in the right mindset can actually help boost your appetite.
The American Farm Bureau reports that the cost of Thanksgiving dinner is down 4.5% compared to last year, so relish those extra savings and stay calm before the big meal. Maybe even take a premeal nap to relax.
Avoid talking about politics or the state of the Steelers offense and ride the wave of good holiday vibes.
Order is important
It’s not just about quantity. The type of food you choose to eat, and the order in which you eat it, matters.
Turkey, with its high fat content, will fill you up the fastest, and it also takes a lot of energy to digest. Starting with carbs such as rolls and mashed potatoes is the way to go.
But don’t just fill up on starches.
Turkey should be next, and then veggies and other high-fiber foods should be last.
Go back for seconds
Feeling full doesn’t mean it’s game over. There is plenty of time for the food to move through your gastrointestinal tract and free up space for more food.
Simple carbs can take as little as 30 minutes to be processed, so have some fun conversation at the table, and then grab another plate.
Sweets, even sides like yams, are also easier to eat on a full stomach. Balance out your meal on your second plate. And then dessert should be easy.
Stay hydrated
Emptying your stomach is also easier when cloggy food is broken down with something to drink.
Don’t skip out on plenty of liquids during your meal. They will go a long way in helping to clear out your stomach and make seconds and even thirds possible.
Also, plenty of drinks before the main meal can stretch out the stomach to make sure it is primed for dinner.
After your marathon meal, relax and take a nap on the couch. You did it, champ.
Ryan Deto is a TribLive reporter covering politics, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County news. A native of California’s Bay Area, he joined the Trib in 2022 after spending more than six years covering Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh City Paper, including serving as managing editor. He can be reached at rdeto@triblive.com.
