Enjoy Thanksgiving in a Way That Supports Your Relationship with Food

Sounds amazing but too good to be true? I promise, it’s not. Even though the phrase “Thanksgiving full” has become common phrase to mean so-stuffed-you-just-want-to-go-to-sleep, there’s a way to actually enjoy the holiday without any unpleasant feelings around food.

Do you like look forward to or totally dread Thanksgiving? Is it full of food you love, or does the thought of all that food make you a little anxious?

There’s no right or wrong here. And truthfully, I understand if you feel like the latter. 

“Thanksgiving full” is a common phrase because it’s considered the norm to absolutely stuff yourself on Thanksgiving. And, if you’re working on your relationship with food, the idea of that alone can feel really tough.

It’s totally possible to enjoy Thanksgiving though – and all the food that comes with it – without feeling physically overstuffed or emotionally stressed.

This applies to every holiday, too! These tips will be so helpful for you to have this holiday season and beyond.

Here’s how to make it happen.

Eat normal meals and snacks that day.

The day of Thanksgiving – and the days leading up to Thanksgiving – eat frequent meals and snacks throughout the day. Have breakfast. Enjoy lunch. Have a snack or two if you’re hungry for them.

Nothing backfires more than “saving” calories.

Have you ever been there? Without fail, any time we approach a meal absolutely starving – or even just a little too hungry – it’s difficult to choose what we want to eat, to eat mindfully and to eat in a way that satisfies our hunger.

Usually, in this case, we end up eating past the point of comfort and not even enjoying the food we ate. Neither one is what we want!

So, instead, go into the meal slightly hungry for it, but not ravenous. If you know your family schmoozes for a while before eating, choose to have a snack before you leave. If you arrive hungry and there are appetizers out, have some to hold you over until the meal.

The best way to actually enjoy the meal is to not go into it overly hungry.

Choose – and enjoy – your favorites.

Once the meal starts, give yourself full permission to enjoy any and all foods at your Thanksgiving meal. While this is true anytime, remind yourself that it’s also true on holidays, too.

Sometimes, it can be helpful to scan the room and see what looks good. Do you love stuffing but could pass on green bean casserole? What are some of your favorites?

Remember, you’re allowed to choose and enjoy the foods you love. You’re also allowed to skip the ones you don’t. If that green bean casserole isn’t calling your name, don’t waste your time on it! And if stuffing is something you really love, make sure you enjoy some.

You have unconditional permission to do so every day and on holidays, too.

Remember that you can always have leftovers.

Holidays can sometimes go hand in hand with a “last supper mentality” around food – the idea that we have it eat it all today before we can’t eat it again tomorrow.

But, here’s the thing to remember: you have unconditional permission to eat these foods any time.

If you’re starting to get full, or you’re not in the mood for a certain food, take some home with you if you can! You can always have leftovers.

Or, more than that, you can also eat these foods any day. Yes, stuffing is a traditional Thanksgiving food, but is there any reason you can’t stuffing next week? Or next month? Nope.

Just like you can choose your favorites and enjoy them, you also have the right to pass on any foods that aren’t calling to you in that moment.

That said… if your grandma makes a delicious special stuffing that you only get to enjoy on Thanksgiving, then enjoy the hell out of that. 

It’s also okay to enjoy foods just because they’re special, bring up nostalgia, or can only be eaten at certain times. As you’ll see below, it’s okay if you feel a little more full than usual on Thanksgiving.

Assess your fullness.

Try to eat as mindfully as you can. This means really tasting and enjoying the food that you’re eating.

The caveat here is that, usually, while we’re talking with others and enjoying a social event, we’re more focused on that social aspect than the food. Which is okay!

And better, anyway. You definitely do not need to shush your family members so you can think about the textures in the pumpkin pie you’re eating. Do the best you can.

Check in with your fullness as best as you can. Are you starting to feel full? Satisfied? Doing so can help prevent that Thanksgiving food coma type feeling.

You are allowed to get seconds if you’re hungry for them, and you are allowed to pass on seconds if you’re not. Period.

At the same time, keep in mind that it’s normal and okay to feel more full than usual on a holiday, or even overstuffed.

Holidays are just that for a reason – they’re special days with special foods that only happen once a year. If you do leave feeling a little more full than you’re used to on a normal day, it’s really okay. 

Don’t be so hard on yourself.

Again, you might leave your holiday meal feeling overfull. Likely, you will have eaten more than usual. It’s a holiday. Quite frankly, I don’t expect you – nor do I want you – to eat the same way you do on your usual weekdays.

If this is the case, don’t beat yourself up! It’s normal and more than okay. It would be so boring if holiday meals were the exact same as our everyday meals – it’s fun to mix it up!

Drink some water to settle your stomach. Go to sleep. And when you wake up the next day, eat meals and snacks (and maybe even leftovers!) like normal. (More about what to do after overeating here)

We’ve already talked about how saving up calories just backfires in the long run; the same goes for restricting yourself the next day. 

Break that cycle by allowing yourself to eat normal meals and snacks the day after the holiday. You don’t have exercise to “burn” anything off. 

You are allowed to enjoy food. And you’re allowed to enjoy a holiday meal.

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Don’t forget about other things, like enjoying the company you’re with, the time off, the special meal, etc. Try to take the focus off of food and think about of all the amazing things that this holiday – and the holidays in general – are about.

Thanksgiving is literally a holiday to focus on what we’re thankful and grateful for. There’s almost nothing more positive than that! When you feel yourself overthinking about food or what you’re eating, bring yourself back to that. Naming just one thing you’re thankful for is an easy mindset shift right works almost instantly.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. I’m here if you need me.

Want more tips on creating an easy, sustainable healthy relationship with food? Check out my membership program, All Foods Fit, with 12 thorough lessons to teach easy ways to create a healthy relationship with food. Or, check out my e-book, 7 Days to Make All Foods Fit, to learn a step by step guide to create a healthier relationship with food in just 7 days.