How To Avoid Feeling Too Full On Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, which means we're all mentally preparing for that stretched-stomach feel that we all inevitably experience that evening, whether we want to or not. It's no surprise that nearly everyone who participates in the turkey and potato feast ends up feeling as though they've eaten too much, but there are some helpful tricks to avoid feeling overly full on Thanksgiving. 

GQ interviewed chef Ben Ford (you may have heard of his father, Harrison), who offered a few ideas as part of the "slow food movement," which is a way to eat a lot in a way that is enjoyable and doesn't leave you feeling disgusting. Some of them may seem like common sense but might surprise you with their effectiveness if you follow them. His first suggestion is to do a little exercise in the morning before the festivities begin. This will ultimately only burn a few hundred calories, but it'll still help you feel better and make a small difference.

It might also help to skip lunch, especially if you tend to eat around 3 or 4 in the afternoon (via GQ). You can probably get by without that big sandwich or burrito and hold out until the turkey-palooza begins. That being said, you should still have a little snack before you eat, just so you aren't starving yourself in preparation for a holiday meal. Ben Ford also recommends cooking and eating slowly this Turkey day, saying, "The efforts that go into making the food translate to the finished plates, like a good stew that's had time to sit and do its thing. Any kind of cooking that involves time will turn out better." 

While you're eating slowly, don't forget to mingle, talk, and spend quality time with your family. This is a once-a-year thing, you can handle sitting next to your aunt Terry and talking about bird-watching for a little while. Ford recommends avoiding rolls altogether, calling them "wasted gastric real estate," and making sure to split up the leftovers so you aren't left eating enormous portions of mashed potatoes and casserole for the following week. If you can find a way to give your leftovers to those who need them more, all the better. 'Tis the season for giving, after all!