The first time I did it.

I planned my holiday meal, and stayed within my daily nutrition plan.
95 g protein... 15 g fat.. 44 g carbs.. 695 calories for the entire day.

I ate high protein, low fat and carb foods to get me through the work day.

For thanksgiving dinner I had moderate servings of turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing and carrots.  No dessert. (But that pumpkin pie looked good)

I didn't nibble, or eat a huge piece of turkey skin, even though I made the stuffing and carved the turkey.

I didn't feel sleepy and stuffed after dinner. I still have lots of energy.

I hope this is a sign of good things to come.

Way to stick with the foundation of a long loved tradition without hurting yourself. Isn't it amazing how engorging yourself has nothing to do with a Happy Thanksgiving now?

The first thing I did was request that my wife put an 8" plate at my place rather than a full-size dinner plate.

I had an appropriate amount of turkey with Trader Joe's turkey gravy (a very low-cal light gravy compared to homemade with the fat-laden pan drippings and a roux base), asparagus spears, cranberry relish, and sweet potato casserole.  Passed on the dressing since it was about 90% bread.  For dessert, while everyone else enjoyed pumpkin roll and pumpkin ice cream, I held my four-month-old grandson.

I enjoyed the meal - cooked a lot of it - and didn't feel overwhelmed when I saw my son-in-law's overstuffed dinner plate ... and his seconds ... and realized that last year, that was me.  Although if truth be told, I did have a second slice of turkey, so I can actually say that I had seconds!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving - especially those of us who were first-timers concerned about the mental image around the meal.  Those of us on the losers bench, as well as those awaiting their place, have much to be thankful for.

Boy you guys pigged out!

I made a very very nice turkey consumee and had my Optifast chocolate as dessert with herb tea and water. 

I did cheat a little and had  dime size piece of turkey 1/2 teaspoons of potato and butternut squash, and three bread cubes of stuffing, yummmm.

It's been two weeks tomorrow and looking forward to youurt, ricotta and cottage cheese, yum.

G

Wow, I had my surgery on the 10th and stayed with my prescribed diet.  Was too scared (after bleeding ulcer last saturday) to try anything.  Though, I did have a bite of the ham, but then spit it out so I wouldn't digest it.