Anyone else panicking over Thanksgiving???

so i was asked to join my firm's wellness committee ( i know...........what?!?) and i need to submit an article for our november newsletter. so i am doing a couple of healthy recipies and a list of substitutions (egg whites for eggs, etc)- actually i will paste it into the end of this post.........

anyway, it got me really worried about thanksgiving and the holidays in general. when i am controlling what i am eating i don't really have a tough time, but i will be at my dad's house with my aunt and then probably with my best friend's family- and i will be really aware of portion sizes, etc. but i LOVE thanksgiving- like LOVE all thanksgiving food- and i am just really worried about how to deal with it, how to log it, etc. Or do i just really cut back during the week before and call it a freebie day? Or do i do the most obnoxious thing possible and bring a lean cuisine turkey/mashed potato meal with me and not eat anything else.

if i do eat actual thanksgiving dinner, here is what i will not compromise on- mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, turkey (obvi) and deviled eggs. i actually thought it would be nice to maybe take a pumpkin cheesecake to my friend's and then i looked up the calories and wanted to cry.

then as we get into christmas, etc the amount of random cookies and candy around my office is going to be insane. not to mention the umpteen holiday parties i have to attend.... i am more worried about fitting copious amounts of alcohol in with a minimal amount of food than i am party food.

I know i can try to throw some physical activity in there to balance it, but i am not working currently, and i cannot guarantee that i can get into any kind of a groove any time soon. or at least in a way that would have any kind of effect.

so i guess i am just wondering if anyone else is freaking out, and what you are strategizing to get through it.


And here is what i found as far as helpful substitutions, etc.

Turkey:
When you roast your turkey, use lemon juice for flavor and to keep it moist and extra virgin olive oil instead of butter. You can use a variety of seasonings to rub on the turkey, including, sea salt, black pepper, garlic, rosemary, thyme and parsley. The turkey will pop with flavor and you will not miss the traditional fatty version.
Light meat lower fat content than dark meat.
Avoid eating the skin.

Fill your plate with lean protein and vegetables, with the smallest percentage of the meal going to breads and starches.
Portion size is important.
Use smaller plates.
Use gravy, dressing, toppings sparingly.
Drink extra water- helps keep you feeling full and helps deter bloating form salty foods.


Recipe calls for... Substitution
1 whole egg 2 egg whites
sour cream low fat plain yogurt or low fat sour cream
milk skim or 1% milk
ice cream frozen yogurt
heavy cream (not for whipping) 1:1 ratio of flour whisked into non fat milk (e.g. 1 cup of flour + 1 cup of non fat milk)
whipped cream chilled evaporated skim milk or other low fat whipped products such as Nutriwhip
cheese low-fat cheese (please note: non-fat cheese does not melt well if use in cooking or baking)
butter light butter
cream of mushroom fat-free cream of mushroom


that's what i got for now...............