What To Avoid During Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of the most special holidays of the year. It brings family together, fills the house with familiar smells, and gives everyone a chance to slow down. But it can also bring a long list of temptations and stressors that are easy to overlook until you feel sluggish, bloated, or exhausted by the end of the weekend.
If you are trying to stay healthy, protect your energy, and enjoy the day without regret, here are the key things to avoid during Thanksgiving. These small choices can make the entire weekend smoother, safer, and a lot more enjoyable.
Avoid letting the day get too stressful
Thanksgiving can be hectic, especially if you are hosting. Trying to cook everything perfectly, handle family dynamics, and stay on schedule can drain your energy before dinner is even served.
Too much stress raises blood pressure, tightens the muscles, and affects your digestion. You may notice headaches, fatigue, or an upset stomach simply from being overwhelmed.
What to do instead:
Keep the menu simple. Share tasks with guests. Prep what you can the night before. Give yourself time to sit down, breathe, and enjoy the day.
Avoid the “all day kitchen grazing”
It sounds harmless, but nibbling on snacks for hours adds hundreds of calories before dinner is served. Chips, cheese trays, dips, cookies, and crackers are easy to grab and even easier to forget.
This constant grazing spikes blood sugar, increases bloating, and leaves you feeling full before the actual meal.
What to do instead:
Stick to one light snack early in the afternoon, drink water, and save your appetite for the real meal.
Avoid overeating at dinner
Thanksgiving plates tend to be huge. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, sweet casseroles, turkey, and desserts stack up fast. Too much food at once can lead to heartburn, poor sleep, and digestive discomfort that lasts until the next day.
What to do instead:
Start with smaller portions. You can always go back for seconds. Eat slowly so your body has time to recognize fullness.
Avoid foods that quietly pack in sugar and salt
Even dishes that look harmless can be loaded with sugar or sodium. Cranberry sauce, glazed carrots, pre-made gravy, boxed stuffing, canned sides, and many casseroles can raise blood pressure and leave you feeling swollen the next morning.
What to do instead:
Pay attention to the dishes you know are heavy. Focus your plate on the basics: turkey, vegetables, and one or two favorite sides.
Avoid sitting all day
Many spend Thanksgiving moving from cooking… to eating… to sitting on the couch. Long periods of sitting can stiffen joints and slow circulation, especially for older adults.
What to do instead:
Take a short walk before or after dinner. Light movement helps digestion, keeps the joints loose, and can even improve sleep.
Avoid drinking too much alcohol
Holiday drinks can sneak up on you, especially if you are sipping throughout the day. Alcohol dehydrates you, affects blood sugar, and can disrupt sleep.
What to do instead:
Have a glass of water between drinks. Set a limit before the night begins. You will feel sharper and more comfortable the next morning.
Avoid trying to “do everything”
Thanksgiving is not meant to be perfect. Trying to control every detail can drain the joy out of the day. Let small things slide. Accept help. Remember the goal is connection, not perfection.
The bottom line
Thanksgiving should be about warmth, gratitude, and good company. Avoid the common traps that leave you tired, stressed, or uncomfortable. With a few smart choices, you can enjoy everything you love about the holiday without feeling weighed down afterward.
