Thanksgiving is right around the corner and with it comes one of my favourite things, gathering the family together for dinner.

Favourite foods, games, laughter, catching up and spending time together are some of my favourite memories. Unfortunately for a lot of people, the only thing Thanksgiving serves up, is a side of stress.

That turkey and pumpkin pie you may look forward to triggers thoughts about overindulging, “falling off the wagon,” and how far in advance they need to start cutting calories and skipping meals in the hope of balancing out what you might eat. Definitely not a recipe for an enjoyable holiday.

Here’s the good news—you don’t have to deprive yourself, white-knuckle your way through Thanksgiving dinner or give up your favourite foods to keep that Thanksgiving dinner from sabotaging your weight. What you do need is a little strategy and I promise, it’s simpler than you think.

When I talk with clients about holidays, I remind them Thanksgiving is the kickoff to what I call “the season of food.” Starting with Thanksgiving here in Canada, the calendar is packed with food-filled gatherings clear through until spring, a possible second Thanksgiving if you head south for the winter, Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, finally winding up with Easter. Add a winter getaway cruise or all-inclusive and that’s a lot of opportunities to either fuel your body well and enjoy making memories or get caught in the cycle of........

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