The unwanted pounds some students pack on the last Thursday of November each year are no cause for thanks.
This longstanding tradition of the Thanksgiving feast usually consists of all-day eating at tables across the United States.
This can mean an incredibly large intake of calories for students who fully enjoy their Thanksgiving meals.
Kathryn Newell, a business sophomore, said her Thanksgiving traditions consist of being together with loved ones – and food.
“We eat at my family’s house, just hang out all day,” she said.
Newell said food is plentiful on Thanksgiving. Her family has sweet potatoes, turkey, stuffing, pecan pie and more.
She admits that keeping a healthy diet during the holidays is difficult but said, “I want to eat healthy over the holidays – I don’t want to gain weight.
“I don’t want to eat a whole lot, gain weight, and have to come back and lose it,” Newell said.
Autumn Douglas, a registered dietician in the Wellness Education Department, said when it comes to their diets, students make many different mistakes during the holiday season.
“I think people often assume they’re going to gain a larger amount of weight,” she said. Douglas said this often gives people an excuse to overeat, because they just expect to gain weight.
“We allow ourselves to fall off the wagon,” Douglas said.
She said that the amount of weight gained during the holidays is really closer to 1-2 pounds.
Douglas said there are many things that a student can do to avoid gaining weight.
Douglas said exercise is an important part of keeping holiday weight off.
“Take a walk instead of sitting around,” Douglas said. She said incorporating holiday activities, such as walking to look at decorations or playing football, into exercise regimes can burn excess calories.
“Try to choose lean meats, like turkey, and vegetables, she said. “Eat smaller portions of high-fat foods.”
She said indulging does not have to equal gaining weight.
“Remember to not choose foods that aren’t your favorites,” Douglas said. She said students should save calories for the high-fat foods that they really can’t live without.
Douglas said the average college-age woman needs 1,800-2,000 calories, and males need around 2,500.
Some food may masquerade as healthy, leading students to eat more of it. Douglas said that green bean casserole is an example of food that appears healthy but often contains butter and fat. Sweet potatoes can be healthy, but Douglas said butter and sugar can increase their unhealthiness.
Low-fat substitutes can be used to prevent weight gain. Douglas suggests using low-fat cheeses and sauces or avoiding them all together.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers more tips on eating healthy on its Web site.
The Web site said it is important to eat a variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads and lean meats.
Eating raw fruits, wheat rolls or vegetables without fattening butter or cheese is a good way to get a variety of nutrients on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving harder on calorie counters
November 26, 2003