With turkey, potatoes and pumpkin pie, it is hard to avoid getting stuffed as a turkey on Thanksgiving.

"It never feels good to overstuff yourself, or eat a ton of sweets," said Rebecca Raddon, 21, a senior from Northbrook, Ill., majoring in English. "So I try to stay away from that on Thanksgiving."

Raddon also said because the food is higher in fat and calories, she does intake more calories, but does not necessarily eat a larger quantity of food.

"I eat a lot on Thanksgiving," Raddon said. "But I always eat a lot."

Sitting around eating all day is not going to make you feel good, Raddon said, it helps to get out and be active on Thanksgiving.

"Growing up in Chicago we usually played football on Thanksgiving," Raddon said. "Then when I got older, we ran in the Chicago Turkey Trot."

For Raddon's family, being active and outside on Thanksgiving is part of the holiday, she said. The day is balanced between eating, being active and enjoying time with the family.

"It is a time to be with the family, and if your family enjoys physical activity, Thanksgiving is an especially good time to do something active together," Raddon said. "It'll help you work up an appetite and food always tastes better when you feel like you've earned it."

Susan Fullmer, an assistant teaching professor in dietetics at BYU and a registered nutrition, also recommends including a walk with the family that day, before or after eating.

"A walk with the family, preferably after eating, helps you feel better," Fullmer said.

Fullmer also said eating breakfast Thanksgiving morning helps from overeating later that day.

"If you don't eat breakfast, you will splurge and eat too fast later on," Fullmer said. "You are more likely to eat less if you eat breakfast. Skipping meals is not a good idea."

Watching portion sizes and eating slowly to allow you to enjoy the food are other tips from Fullmer.

"Take reasonable portions and eat slowly," Fullmer said. "We tend to take huge portions and fill our plates. It is better to take what you need and keep in mind you can always have a second helping."

Fullmer said it is important for people to realize they will be eating a lot of calories that day, but even more important is for people to realize that it is just one day.

"It is one day," Fullmer said. "It is part of why we get together as a family. There is a psychological component to having a holiday feast with family. Enjoy the holiday and don't count calories or fat that day."

Fullmer said indulging one day does not mean you are throwing your diet to the wind, and suggests exercising the day after and try to return to your regular eating patterns.

"Gluttony is never a sin over Thanksgiving," said Devin Wilde, 22, a junior majoring in accounting from Danville, Calif. "It is the one time of the year where you can eat however you want, and besides, there is always a Turkey Bowl."
Copyright Brigham Young University 22 Nov 2002