5 Hacks to Avoid a Thanksgiving Food Coma

Food comas are apparently a thing on Thanksgiving. It’s pretty easy to put me in a food coma these days, all I need is to eat a load of carbs on an empty stomach. Straight to sleep. Unfortunately, taking a nap at family events, or worst a stranger’s house, is not socially acceptable. So here are a few tips to help you avoid public humiliation…

1) Eat plenty of protein for breakfast

Protein is filling and nutritious, and we all know that Thanksgiving is marathon not a sprint. If you eat plenty of protein early on in the day it’ll be like laying a really good foundation for all the not-so nutritious but delicious food to come later.

2) Avoid sudden intakes of large food portions.

This is basically like stretching before a race. Get your metabolism started before the big meal by eating small portions, this way you’ll be able to make the most out of the space in your stomach. You’ll reduce your chances of filling up too quick, and of getting sick from overeating.

3) Don’t drink your calories.

Liquor and soda have a ton of sugar and calories. Be careful with what you drink. Alcohol is basically sugar, so be mindful of what you mix it with. And in case you haven’t gotten the memo, if you’re going to drink soda don’t bother with the diet stuff. It’s actually more poisonous than regular soda.

4) Drink plenty of water.

You need to wash everything down somehow. And stay hydrated. I shouldn’t have to tell you why.

5) Sneak in good calories with the bad.

I try to add a serving of something, anything, with nutritional value anytime I eat. I add a pepper to my scramble eggs. I’ll try to have a plate of salad after every plate of food on holidays. Apparently the French eat their salads after their entrees, and I find that eating the salad after my main course helps to wash everything down.