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Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but the holiday doesn’t mean you have to give up on good health! Check out these 7 tips to enjoy a healthier Thanksgiving without taking away the flavor and fun.

Eat Breakfast

It’s the most important meal of the day for a reason! Skipping breakfast because you want to save room for later is not the best idea. Typically, this leads to overindulging when it is time to sit down for your Thanksgiving meal. A small breakfast in the morning gives you more control over your appetite throughout the day. Don’t know what to eat? A hot stack of whole-wheat oatmeal pancakes or a skinny fried egg on avocado toast should do the trick.

Stay Active

Make it a goal to work some physical activity into your day! Take an early morning walk before the festivities get started, or plan a post-meal walk with your family or friends. This a great way spend some quality time with your loved ones and will encourage you to maintain an active lifestyle.

Portion Patrol

The easiest way to police your portions is to use a smaller plate. This will help prevent you from eating more than what it takes to fill you up. It’s likely that when using a bigger plate all of the food on the plate will be eaten, even if we are not that hungry. Thanksgiving food is made with love and tastes delicious, but try to resist the temptation to rush back for seconds. Wait about 20 minutes before filling your plate again to see if you are still hungry.

Keep It Light

If you are hosting Thanksgiving at your home or plan to bring a few dishes to the gathering, make your recipes healthier with less fat, sugar, or calories. There are many ways to lighten your recipe:

• Use fat-free chicken broth to baste the turkey and make gravy
• Reduce the use of oil and butter
• Instead of using marshmallows and sugar in your sweet potatoes, add flavor with spices like cinnamon and cumin

Go Slow

This is one of the easiest ways to feel fully satisfied with your Thanksgiving meal. Take your time with each bite, and put down the fork to take short breaks or drink a sip of water. When you eat slower, your body has time to signal when you are full. You will also avoid the uncomfortable feeling of eating too much at one time.

Know Your Limits

If you’re looking forward to the Thanksgiving desserts, you’re not the only one! Many of us have a huge sweet tooth. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and offer to bring your own healthier dessert, such as fresh fruit! Don’t be afraid to have that slice of pumpkin pie, just reach for the healthier alternative if you are still craving something sweet.

Family and Friends

Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food or drinks. It’s about spending the day with those you love! Don’t worry too much about the food or calories, and cherish the moments you spend with those around you.