Thanksgiving can present a challenge when you’re on Phase I. You can avoid temptation and still enjoy the flavours of the season by following our tips below:
- Try to be the chef! If you cook it, you know what is in it. Hosting the big day at your home gives you more control, and you can plan other activities (games, crafts, movies) to celebrate the day without the constant presence of food.
- Have that big meal as early as you can. Try not to eat and then sleep. Eat slowly and enjoy your food.
- Have a warm drink 30 minutes before dinner (up to 8 ounces). This can be water or tea, but a cup of chicken or turkey broth soup with green onion and miracle rice or miracle noodle will be especially filling. Warm liquids satiate and hydrate you. Finishing dinner with a cup of tea (pumpkin spice, chai, etc.) will also help.
- Eat plenty of turkey, salad, and veggies. Stay clear of fattening and/or carb-loaded choices. Enjoy your 8 ounces of turkey and 2 cups of vegetables. You can make delicious cauliflower mash as a potato substitute and use IP chicken soup as gravy.
- While you can’t indulge in wine, Perrier or club soda with Mio in a wine glass is a tasty alternative. You will be able to have wine and alcohol when the diet is done - short time sacrifice for long time gain. Remember alcohol will make you very sick.
- Get your plate and fill it one time only - don’t fall prey to second helpings or snacking on leftovers! Freeze them in single portion sizes to eat later.
- While we don’t recommend too much exercise, a walk after dinner can be refreshing and a nice break from being surrounded by food.
- Enjoy your holiday knowing you are not going to gain weight.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Recipes:
An “Ideal” Thanksgiving meal
Start with a cup of warm broth (optional miracle noodle or rice) before dinner. Have a lettuce salad to start; followed with 8 ounces turkey, low carb "stuffing" and your favourite IP approved vegetables. Enjoy an “Ideal” Pumpkin Pie Pudding for dessert. You’ll find the recipes below.
Cauliflower “Rice”
Chop one head of cauliflower into rice sized pieces using a food processor or other chopper. Microwave the chopped cauliflower in a covered dish for 5-7 minutes (if using a plastic container, reduce power to 70% and add a little time). Do not add water!
Cooked cauliflower with spices (poultry seasoning, sage, bay leaf, etc.) and sautéed vegetables will make a tasty alternative to regular stuffing. See our full recipe by clicking the title for more.
Mock Mashed Potatoes (cauliflower)
Make delicious cauliflower mash instead of mashed potatoes by cooking cauliflower, garlic and white turnip in chicken broth. Try adding spices like bay leaf, sage, onion powder and celery. See our full recipe by clicking the title for more.
“Ideal” Pumpkin Pie Pudding
Blend Ideal Protein Butterscotch pudding, pumpkin spice, nutmeg and Walden Farms marshmallow dip together for a delicious low carb Thanksgiving dessert.
