What are you doing to your body on this food-heavy holiday?

Want to know a disturbingly unhealthy statistic? “The average American will consume more than 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving Day alone, according to the Caloric Control Council.” (Thanksgiving Survival Guide)

Yikes. That is a lot of food, and definitely WAY more than your body requires.

A pound of fat is equal to 3,500 calories. So, do the math: You just added over a pound to your normal weight. Now, granted, a pound here and there doesn’t sound like a big deal, but research has found that 85% of folks still have that added weight a year later… so it’s not going away. It’s adding up.

And adding up can lead to conditions like obesity.

In case you need a reminder about how harmful heavy extra weight on your body can be, let me give you a few: joint pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease… need I go on?

So, what do you do? You can still have an enjoyable time with your family and eat well; you just need to be smarter about it.

Here are a few suggestions from the Thanksgiving Survival Guide:

• Each American consumes nearly 40 pounds of sugar (63,750 calories!) throughout the course of one year. Replacing just one cup of sugar with a sugar substitute like Splenda brand in your pies and other baked goods will save over 750 calories.
• Use whole wheat flour instead of enriched white flour in your baked goods. You’ll save 77 calories and prevent a spike of insulin from affecting the body. If you don’t want to replace all of your flour, use just half whole wheat and half enriched.
• Cook with skim milk instead of whole or 2% milk. Your potatoes will be just as creamy, and you’ll save up to 70 calories.
• Replace eggs in cooking & baking with an egg substitute like Egg Beaters brand. You’ll save 60 calories and 238 mg of cholesterol. Or, just replace half.

While you’re waiting for that turkey to finish cooking, how about doing some quick squats, leg lifts, and chair pushups? Never hurts to get in a quick exercise session. Or, after eating, instead of lounging in front of the TV, go outside and play a game of family flag football. Move, people!

And, hey, here’s a doozey: DON’T EAT SO MUCH. Why force yourself to eat all that food? You know halfway through your plate you’re like, “Ugh…” Eat till you’re satisfied, NOT satiated…

I’m not trying to take away your fun and enjoyment – just trying to encourage you to be mindful of your choices later this month. Don’t take your health for granted. Remember: You are the best resource our planet has, and we need you to be WELL.

Best wishes for a healthy holiday season.

Gingerly Green

PS – Make sure to take your food scraps out to the compost pile.

By Gingerly Green of Two Girls Go Green (@TwoGirlsGoGreen)