Thanksgiving is usually a holiday full of overeating and overindulging, but it doesn’t have to be that way! As with all things 4Q — we’re all about striking a balance between enjoying food and indulging, while staying in control and on track.

And as with all things 4Q, we not only help you figure out “what am I going to eat?”, but also “how am I actually going to actually execute that?”, which is why we’re giving you a Thanksgiving Food Plan and Game Plan that will leaving you feeling empowered and prepared for your Thanksgiving festivities.

THE FOOD PLAN:

While you most definitely should enjoy your typical Thanksgiving fare, here are a few non-indulgent dishes that are delicious and will help you balance out your meal with some lighter offerings. The best part is, these recipes require very little prep and effort, which is major since we all know how labor-intensive Thanksgiving cooking can be!

• Green beans are a traditional Thanksgiving vegetable, but often only show up as part of a decadent casserole. With the 4Q Blistered Balsamic Green Beans and Cherry Tomatoes, they take a different turn, and while it’s definitely a lighter turn, it’s still totally delicious.

• Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but are usually full of excess fat, which - let’s be honest, there’s enough of in all the other sides and desserts. If you’re willing to go untraditional with your potatoes this thanksgiving, opting for the 4Q Rosemary and Sea Salt Smashed Potatoes would be an excellent choice. While they may be a departure from the comfort of the mashed potatoes, the rosemary still gives this dish major cozy vibes.

• While we’re not saying to replace your stuffing, the 4Q Caramelized Autumn Roasted Vegetables is a total show-stopper when it comes to both plating and flavor. The combination of ginger, maple, and pecans in this dish is next level. In fact, you might have to keep this dish on repeat long after Thanksgiving has passed.

• A bowl of warm soup is a lovely way to start the Thanksgiving meal, but is such a shame to load up on fat and starch before the meal even gets going. On the other hand, having a non-starchy vegetable soup is an excellent way to get a head start on your vegetable intake! The 4Q Cauliflower Soup is so creamy and comforting and sets the tone for a lovely holiday feast without leaving you feeling decadent and heavy.

THE GAME PLAN

Below are a few tips to helping you navigate the day every step of the way!

1. Don’t skip meals. Doing so will only make you arrive at your feast extra hungry, causing you to make poor food choices off the bat.

2. Don’t fill up on small appetizers. At most, make yourself a little plate and pick a seat further from the platters so you’re not tempted to keep picking.

3. Plate all indulgences to help you stay in control of portions and enjoy them mindfully. Designate a portion of your plate for indulgent sides and pick out one serving of dessert to have and plate it — this could be one main dessert, half of two, or an assortment of smaller ones.

4. Remember that Thanksgiving isn’t the only time you can eat this food! If you didn’t get a chance to have something you wanted, take home leftovers or plan to make that dish again the following week. There’s no rule that says we can’t eat Thanksgiving food on other days of the year! This will relieve the pressure to “get it all in” at this one meal, which often leads to over-eating.

5. Celebrate the vegetables. Vegetables can and should be delicious too (see the above recipes!) and will help you balance out your meal so you’re not just filling up on the indulgent sides.

6. Enjoy the company! Focusing on spending time with friends and family can take the spotlight away from the food and help distract from all the temptation.