Thanksgiving: Pick Your Poison

The November issue of Self Magazine suggests that many people fear Thanksgiving. Fear? Seems like an odd emotion for a day where you give thanks to the universe for everything it has provided. However, when you consider that Thanksgiving is on record as the single most fattening day of the year, the fear begins to make sense.

Many people gain an average of one pound each year during the holiday season, a pound that begins its growth spurt on Thanksgiving Day when, according to the American Council on Exercise, many of us eat over 3,000 calories not including snacks and drinks. Sixteen little ounces may not seem like such a big deal until you consider they typically pile on year after year and ultimately blossom into 10 pounds of excess weight over the course of each decade. Now that is something to fear – for your appearance and your health.

The article has some very nice tips for avoiding the pile up of the holiday pounds. I'll share a few with you here...

Your fear: "I overeat at parties." Celebratory spreads make it easy to stuff yourself. But obsessing over every bite will ruin your night. Ask yourself, "How do you want to feel tomorrow?" Bloated and disappointed or proud and healthy? Strap your watch on the wrong wrist as a visual reminder of your goal; you'll automatically eat less.

Let me add: Don't panic or feel guilty if your diet seems to have gotten out of hand. When you balance your intake over several days, you have the time to regain control. You can make up for a feast of rich, higher-fat foods with lighter, lower-fat meals for the next couple of days. Or plan for tomorrow night's party with a low-calorie, low-fat breakfast and lunch.

Your fear: "I can't resist pumpkin lattes." Give yourself permission to relish the special foods you have only during the holidays -- our mom's pecan pie, Grandma's candied yams or even Starbuck's seasonal treats -- in moderation. Substitute these dishes for your usual indulgences such as chips, ice cream and pizza. Just don't let a 300-calorie slip turn into a 3,000-calorie blowout. Once you've had that slice of cake, get back to eating healthy.

Let me add: Select only your "special" or favorite foods at a holiday buffet and the holiday meal – leave standard fare like potato chips, nuts and rolls for the other guests. Practice portion control, too. Take a smaller serving of everything you want to try rather than a huge dollop of everything. You'll feel more satisfied if you allow yourself to try everything you want.

Your fear: "I'll eat leftovers for days." It's undeniable: Reheated turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce is even more delectable on day two. Combine that with a race to finish the food before it spoils and you've got a recipe for disaster. The solution? Refrigerate enough of your leftovers for day-after sandwiches, then send guests home with doggie bags and put the remainder in the freezer, so you won't be tempted to pile up a plate every time you open the fridge.

Let me add: Buy colorful plastic containers and ribbons before the feast. At the end of the night when you're cleaning up and packing everything away, divvy up the leftovers into the containers, place a bow on top and send each guest home with a gift for the next day. By spreading the wealth, no one gets stuck with too much temptation calling to them from the fridge.

In the meantime, you can also hop on over to AOL's Food Evaluator to check up on how many calories there are in that eggnog you just poured onto your cereal....

Liz Neporent is a diet and fitness expert and co-author of "The Fat-Free Truth." She regularly appears on national TV programs and is the president of Wellness 360, a New-York based wellness provider. You can also follow her on Twitter @lizzyfit.