What the Cook Nibbled: From Appetite for Health

It’s so hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I feel like it was only yesterday that I just finished my last bite of pumpkin pie! Getting back into the Thanksgiving grove this week, I was reminded of a segment I did for The TODAY Show that was based on a great story in Cooking Light called, “What the Cook Nibbled”.

Written by deputy editor Phillip Rhodes, this piece is an amusing and surprising look at what can happen when you indulge in a taste here and a bite there while preparing your Thanksgiving meal.

Hoda and Kathie Lee were actually very close in guessing the calorie counts of the foods we had on display. However as you’ll see in the clip, they were way off when it came to estimating the grand total. Yup! You can pack away a lot of calories even before hitting the dinner table if you’re not careful.

I don’t want to spoil any one’s Turkey Day. After all, this is a celebration that centers on food, family, and of course, giving thanks. But if you are watching your waistline, know that our pre-dinner taste-testing added up to nearly 800 calories. That’s more than a full meal!!

So what can you do to prevent a Turkey Day diet disaster?

1) Eat breakfast. Breakfast can be one of your best stay-trim strategies. If you eat a breakfast with fiber (think whole grain cereal), fruit, and some protein (yogurt, eggs), you’ll feel full for longer, and will be less likely to nibble your way to dinner.

2) Get moving. Make sure your Turkey Day includes some kind of physical activity. If you can’t stick with your regular routine (yes… I am assuming you have one. If you don’t, go get one!) then instead of watching football all day, get out and start your own game. Not only does this burn calories, but a well-executed tackle is a great way to vent your hostility towards those annoying in-laws! (Just kidding… well… not really.)

3) Drink in moderation, if at all. Booze is not calorie-free. For tips on how to keep your liquid calories in check this holiday season, don’t miss this article on Putting the Brakes on Booze!

By Katherine Brooking, MS, RD, co-founder of Appetite for Health