Thanksgiving in Hong Kong is a lively affair — you get parties and more roast turkeys than you can shake a stick at! If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving overseas this year, why not make a change? Instead of indulging in the usual butter-drenched pork pies, gravies and casseroles, consider putting together a healthier Thanksgiving feast, or even getting active besides all the feasting. After all, an expatriate posting is a great opportunity to make positive changes to your lifestyle, so why not start with everyone’s favourite holiday?
1. Bake, don’t fry
Whether you’re bringing something for a potluck dinner or dealing with the mammoth task of cooking enough food to feed every guest at the Thanksgiving party, opting for healthier cooking techniques will put a smile on everyone’s face and keep them from entering the dreaded “food coma” after the meal. Baking uses less oil than frying, and is equally appropriate for preparing crispy foods.
Instead of soaking your sweet potatoes in butter, syrup and marshmallows, consider baking them in foil at a medium temperature for an hour, before layering them with dried fruits, nutmeg and a sprinkle of sugar and sea salt. It’s nutritious, different and shows off your mastery in the kitchen!
2. Practice plate division
Did you struggle with long division in school? Not to worry — plate division is a good deal less complicated. It involves filling half your plate with vegetables, a quarter with proteins and the rest with carbohydrates (preferably complex, fibre-rich carbs like sweet potato, quinoa or beans). This ensures a balanced meal, and prevents you from filling up on calorie-laden meat and potatoes before you ever get to the vegetables!
3. Eat slowly, and savour the food
We all know how tasty a Thanksgiving feast can be, but you must refrain from gobbling it down too fast. It’ll be a pity to spend the rest of the evening feeling uncomfortably full. Why not savour the flavour and eat a little bit slower? People who eat more slowly tend to consume less food, as the food is given adequate time to settle and digest. After all, if someone’s slaved over the stove for hours, it won’t hurt to spend a little more time appreciating all that hard work.
4. Get active
Who says Thanksgiving celebrations must be limited to feasting and copious amounts of alcohol? Instead of the usual game of drunken charades or bridge, consider planning some physical activities before and after dinner. Perhaps a game of football, or an ice skating session. Even a game of darts after your feast will help get the blood flowing!
Just as with Christmas and New Year’s, the temptation to overindulge in Thanksgiving is a powerful one. If you can resist, and celebrate Thanksgiving in a new and healthy way with a nutritious meal and plenty of exercises, you’ll really have plenty to give thanks for!