There's a lot of information available about Thanksgiving meal choices and recipes, but what are we supposed to eat on Thanksgiving morning? I don't know about you, but every year I am seriously challenged in this department: if I eat too much or too heavy, I won't be hungry enough for the afternoon repast. However, if I eat too little or nothing at all, the discomfort from hunger pangs detracts from the joy of preparing the Thanksgiving meal with friends and family. Whatever is one to do?
Eat citrus! It will give you clean, nutritious energy and fullness without taking away from your enjoyment of the feast.
Orange juice has become the poster child of breakfast beverages, and most morning diners are familiar with the classic sectioned half-grapefruit. Oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines are all excellent choices for eating clean and healthy while also feeling full and satiated. This effect is largely due to the high fiber content found in all citrus fruits. For example, depending on its size, an orange can contain three to four grams of fiber, which is about ten percent of the adult recommended daily allowance. The high Vitamin C content in all citrus fruits is a bonus, as it can give our cells the energy needed to enjoy the packed holidays. Research has also shown that vitamin C can help suppress appetite.
If you have to choose between orange juice and a whole orange, tangerine, or grapefruit, however, ditch the juice and enjoy the fruit instead. While comparable in vitamin C content, Orange juice only has about one gram of fiber and is high in sugar.
While a piece of fruit makes a great snack, it might not be enough to stave off the uncomfortable hunger before the big feast. Adding a little protein, such as yogurt, can help. You can even make more creative and festive meals, such as this Citrus Sunrise. Or try this delicious Citrus Breakfast Bowl that has the added health benefits of bee pollen, chia, and flax seeds.
After breakfast, keeping a bowl of whole citrus fruits on hand throughout Thanksgiving day is a great idea because they can provide instant relief for those unpleasant hunger pangs without weighing you down or giving you a sugar crash.
Hydration Is Key
Dehydration can be mistaken for hunger because the body, in a way, craves water and may display similar signals, such as salivation and stomach rumbling. In the midst of the holiday bustle, cooking, and socializing, it is easy to forget to drink enough water. The combination of dehydration and an increasing appetite can be both uncomfortable and unhealthy.
Citrus fruits come to the rescue once again! Oranges and grapefruits belong to a group of foods known in the health and nutrition world as "water-rich" and "hydrating." This means they have a high water content, and the water is readily available for our cells to absorb. A typical orange contains about half a cup of water, and its fiber content contributes to its filling properties. An average grapefruit, on the other hand, is about 91% water, with a whole grapefruit containing around a cup of water.
This holiday season, consider making some warming citrus drinks. You can prepare them in a large soup pot at breakfast and keep them simmering on the stove throughout the day. Thirsty family and friends can refill their cups as they please. The best part? These drinks will also fill your home with the delightful scent of fall!
Start...and Continue... Your Day, the Citrus Way
We may have over a month to go yet before New Year's resolutions, but starting off Thanksgiving with a healthy citrus breakfast is a great way to set the stage for healthy habits every day. Indeed, we don't normally have a meal as big as the Thanksgiving feast most days. However, the benefits of eating a citrus-adorned breakfast and turning to whole oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits for a quick pick-me-up snack throughout the day can really add up your wellness points.
And of course, citrus is great for dinner dishes too, including Thanksgiving dinner! Try this wonderful roasted turkey with orange pumpernickel chestnut stuffing, or other creative main and side dish recipes found here.
From all of us here at Florida Fruit Shippers: Happy Thanksgiving!
Sources:
https://www.droracle.ai/articles/36144/which-vitamins-suppress-appetite
https://blog.orangesonline.com/2022/01/warming-citrus-drinks-for-wintertime.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/high-fiber-foods/art-20050948
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/oranges
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/orange-juice
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-hydrating-foods
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2467458/
