Not Giving into the Turkey Coma

The holiday season is fast approaching, and it will seem like it’s one big meal after another. With all the parties and celebrations we’re invited to, its hard not to overeat and fall into the dreadful turkey coma.

You’re probably wondering, “what is a turkey coma?” Well, think of it as a food coma. That’s when you eat so much food it feels like you can’t move and you’re about to pass out. But since Thanksgiving is around the corner, it feels like turkey is just everywhere. And there’s a popular belief that you start to feel sleepiness because of the tryptophan in the white meat.

With all the holiday meals and yummy treats, it’s easy to fall into the turkey coma. But as a soccer player, we don’t want that to happen and ruin our conditioning. So, here are some tips to keep up your healthy girls soccer lifestyle during the holidays.

Avoid Skipping Meals

We’ve all been there before, starving ourselves to have more room for the feast. But when eating during the holidays, you want to be hungry, not starving. If you arrive on an empty stomach, you will have a weaker ability to resist overeating.

Try to eat well-balanced meals leading up to holiday gatherings. If you can’t eat a full meal, try to have a snack beforehand. For snacks you can have a banana, toast with peanut butter and sliced strawberries, or even guacamole with pita chips.

Stay Hydrated

Sometimes while we are talking to family and friends, we forget to keep ourselves hydrated. This can lead to us thinking we are hungry, but we could just need some H2O. So, before you start to fill your plate up, drink a glass of water, wait a few minutes and see what your body is telling you.

Avoid Eating Out of Boredom

Not every Thanksgiving party or gathering is fun. We get bored, sometimes anxious, then we start to look for something to do. We aren’t hungry, but we start to snack on whatever we could find. So, instead of snacking, try to find something to keep you occupied. Catch up with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, offer to help set up the table, or play with the kids who are on their phones watching YouTube.

If you can’t control your snacking, try to eat some spicy treats. Most of us can’t handle spicy food, so you won’t be overindulging in spicy snacks for long. Plus, spicy food helps boost your metabolism.

Load Up on Fruits and Veggies

By piling lots of veggies and fruits on your plate, you will be eating more fiber and fewer calories, but still satisfying your hunger. You’ll be eating healthy and won’t be feeling too much guilt with a full plate.

Avoid Food Pressure

Food pressure is a big deal during this time of year. This can be someone asking you if you want more mashed potatoes, insisting you try their candied yams or to eat more turkey. Giving into peer pressure happens to all of us, and sometimes we start to feel lousy about it. All you have to do is stand your ground and say no.

Although it feels like a holiday tradition is to stuff your face, that is something we can all do without. All we have to do is choose wisely and be mindful of what we are eating. Moderation will be key during this time. As long as you’re not over doing it on your favorite holiday foods and treats, you’ll be fine.

Enjoy the holidays Socceristas, and don’t feel like you can’t live the girls soccer lifestyle while also indulging in a couple special treats!

Photo via Adobe Stock @Aaron Amat

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