Set your Thanksgiving Guests Up for Success

The coveted, dog-eared family recipes are tucked back in their safe place, and your guests are at the door. A warm, heavenly fragranced waft welcomes them as they cross the threshold to bestow their holiday wishes. Thanksgiving Day conjures up memories of yummy food, but the marathon feast can add upwards of 3,000 calories (that’s almost one pound of fat) to one’s waistline if you’re not careful. Here are some ideas to ensure that the only thing stuffed this Thanksgiving is the bird sitting in the middle of the dinner table!

Get the Party Started

Appetizers and drinks alone can add up to 1,000 calories. So remember when stocking your holiday beverages to include something for everyone. Spiced brews, wine spritzers, and sparkling waters all go well with holiday meals, as does a festive favorite: hot, mulled apple cider served with a swizzle, cinnamon stick. Smaller portion sizes of favorites like the portion-controlled Coca-Cola mini can be a great way for your guests to keep calories in check.

Since it’s easy to mindlessly pick at appetizers while mingling with other guests, try to avoid arriving at any party in a hungry state. Scope out the food options and set limits on your indulgences before dinner is served. Including protein at all meals helps to stabilize blood sugar spikes, which often leads to uncontrolled eating cycles. Whether you are the host or guest, here are some protein-rich, party-perfect appetizers to pop on a serving platter: smoked salmon and horseradish on crostini; roasted, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears; or bruschetta with sliced Granny Smith apples and low fat cheddar cheese with a dollop of bacon jam on top.

Whole Grain Savory Sides

Americans are traditionalists. According to a recent survey commissioned by Coca-Cola and conducted by Harris Poll, nearly four in five prefer traditional Thanksgiving food[i], but getting creative at the holidays is always a fun thing to do. Besides the classic sides to the holiday main fare, impress your guests with the season’s nutty flavors of toasted pumpkin seeds sprinkled on top of apple cider-glazed carrots; red quinoa with roasted mushrooms and pine nuts; or a fiber-packed, wheat berry salad bursting with cranberries, diced apples, and pecans.

Deliciously Deceivingly Decadent

Pies are a must for the dessert table, but for those that are watching their waist lines, offer some lighter options like pumpkin mousse, Greek yogurt pecan-granola parfaits, or iced gingerbread biscotti. This way, all of your guests can enjoy a festive dessert to go along with that cup of freshly brewed, spiced latte!

Saying Thanks

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a day to share good food with family and friends, but it’s also the perfect time to reflect on gratitude. One of my favorite books growing up was the Winnie the Pooh series. A.A. Milne could not have said it better: “Piglet noticed that even though he has a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” This year, consider starting a new holiday tradition by giving each of your guests a slip of paper and asking them to jot down one thing that they are grateful for. Put them all in a basket and as you gather together, spread the joy of the season by passing the basket around and having each person draw a slip to read the messages aloud. This simple act of sharing truly defines the gratefulness displayed by our settling forefathers centuries ago.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sophia Kamveris, a registered dietitian based in Arlington, MA, is a consultant to The Coca-Cola Company and provides practical nutrition information on behalf of the Company. She is also in private practice.

[i]This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Coke from November 6-10, 2015 among 2,097 adults ages 18 and older, of whom, 541 were adult millennials (18-34 years old). This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.