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Happy Thanksgiving from the Alkamind family to yours!
I love Thanksgiving – time with family, the game on the TV, the smells wafting from the oven, and remembering all the things we’re thankful for.
What I don’t love, however, is that overly stuffed feeling from way too much rich, acidic food that comes after the big Thanksgiving meal. Indigestion, heartburn, bloating, and feeling tired are sure to follow.
That’s because so many foods on the typical Thanksgiving table are full of acid, unhealthy fats, and sugar
“But,” you say, “I love Thanksgiving food, and I don’t want to give up my favorites and traditions!”
Listen, I get it. That’s why it’s all about picking and choosing where you’re going to indulge while otherwise making smart choices.
The foods we’re going to discuss skipping today are easy choices to avoid. And they give you a lot of leeway to choose your favorite foods at the bountiful Thanksgiving table, while avoiding what’s easy to live without.
With that said, if any of these are your favorite thing about Thanksgiving, by all means, enjoy!
Remember, the alkaline lifestyle is not about perfection. It’s about making choices that will set you up for success, and focusing on progress.
There are 5 foods to avoid below... But I’m going to encourage you to throw one out the window.
Yes, that’s right, take one of the foods below and enjoy it. If you avoid the rest, and just indulge in one small way, you’re still going to be making huge strides toward your health and fitness goals AND enjoy the holiday at the same time.
So keep that in mind as you read through these foods to avoid. If you implement most of them, it’s a game changer for your health!
Sugary Drinks With No Nutrition
Most beverages other than water are acidic and full of sugar. Skipping soda, juice, wine, beer, and cocktails is an easy way to cut out a TON of empty calories, not to mention acidic ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, yeast, and addictive chemicals.
If you do choose to have an alcoholic beverage with your meal, try to limit it to a single drink and drink at least a full glass of water before and after it.
[Read: 3 Ways to Enjoy Alcohol – Without the Acid]
What to enjoy instead: Drink water or herbal tea with a fresh lemon or lime wedge to squeeze in your water. It tastes good and it’s alkalizing and cleansing.
The Bread Basket
It’s easy to skip bread – plus butter or butter substitutes – all together. Pretend it’s not even on the table. Let’s be honest: the bread usually isn’t that good anyway, is it?
Now what about butter on and in other dishes? Most of the food at the Thanksgiving table is loaded with butter, right? If you’re the one cooking, substitute coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil where you can. And use grass-fed, organic butter where you need the real thing.
What to enjoy instead: Everything else on the table! Bread just fills you up, instead of being able to enjoy the sweet potatoes, veggies, and other better choices.
Gravy and Other Sauces
Gravy might as well be called ACID SAUCE. It’s easy to ladle several spoonfuls all over your plate without really thinking about it. Skip the sauces and save yourself the heartburn, indigestion, and extra calories.
What to enjoy instead: Often when we use gravy and other heavy sauces, what we really want is FLAVOR! Sprinkle your food with unprocessed sea salts like Himalayan pink, Celtic grey, or Redmond Real Salt. Herbs are a great choice here too because they are full of antioxidants, alkaline minerals, and flavor.
Turkey
Dr. D, you’re asking me to skip out on the main event?!
My question to you is… Do you really LOVE turkey? Or do you eat it because it’s what you’re “supposed to” eat on Thanksgiving?
Don’t feel the need to eat something just because it’s tradition. Instead, fill up on tasty side dishes that you actually enjoy more than a dry bird. And make sure what you’ve contributed to the meal is an alkalizing soup, salad, or side dish of steamed or sautéed veggies.
If you do love turkey, no problem. Let this be the food you throw off your list to avoid. However, you want the portion size of the meat to be the side show, not the main event. And quality is key. Always go for organic and free-range.
Meat is okay in moderation, but the fact of matter is meat it is acidic, poultry is a top source of inflammatory fats, and all animal proteins require a lot of energy for your body to break them down. That’s why you get tired after a big Turkey Day meal.
What to enjoy instead: If you want a turkey substitute to make the meal feel like Thanksgiving, Tofurky is a good option in moderation. Otherwise, fill your plate with plant-based sides like we talked about already.
Pie and Other Desserts
This is my downfall because I love dessert. Yes, it’s true. I’m a recovering sugar addict!
But it’s so hard to watch others eating a big slice of pumpkin pie and not eat anything yourself. That’s what makes you feel deprived, and we can’t have that.
Even fruit after a big meal is not great (although better than pie), because it will quickly ferment and turn to acid, possibly causing bloating and gas. That’s why my best advice is to bring dessert that you CAN indulge in!
What to enjoy instead: Bring an alkaline fan favorite like Pumpkin Chia Pudding or Raw Pumpkin Pie. Trust me, when your family and friends try one of these, they will ask for the recipe. That’s what I call the ultimate guilt-free dessert.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with you and your loved ones!
And don’t forget! 30 minutes before bed, take a scoop of Acid-Kicking Minerals in water so that you sleep better – and wake up recovered from whatever you ate!
Minerals will neutralize the acids you did eat (remember I said you could throw one piece of my advice out the window?) so that your body doesn’t have to work so hard to keep your pH in balance.
By ending your day with Acid-Kicking Minerals every night, you’re ensuring that you get enough magnesium, as well as the right balance of calcium, potassium, and sodium bicarbonate, all from quality sources unlike most other supplements.
GET OFF YOUR ACID!
Dr. Daryl
