Tip 1: Prep by eating bigger meals in the days before Thanksgiving.

By eating bigger meals in the days leading up to Thanksgiving you will help to stretch out your stomach to fit more food. One common misconception about eating Thanksgiving dinner is that you should fast beforehand to eat more food. By not eating much in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, you're training your stomach to be smaller, and your brain to tell yourself that you're hungrier. This will lead to you eating ravenously at the start of the meal and then feeling completely stuffed after the first few minutes of dinner. So, in the days before Thanksgiving be sure to eat meals that will keep you feeling satisfied and that will keep your stomach at the right capacity to fit all the Thanksgiving foods you want to eat.

Tip 2: On the day of, start with carbs then protein.

By starting with carbs like potatoes and rolls, you will help start to expand your stomach before hitting some of the more filling items like proteins and fiber. Our stomachs process various foods differently, so it's important to note that starting off by eating turkey may actually make you feel fuller faster since you're digesting protein which takes more time and energy than digesting carbs.

Tip 3: End with fiber. 

Whether it's green bean casserole or broccoli salad, save the veggies for last. Just like you should ease your stomach into digestion by starting off with carbs, it's a good idea to end with fiber which takes the longest to process and digest. Also, by the time you begin to process the last things you ate during your meal, your stomach will be able to start digesting faster since it's already been working through carbs and protein meaning you should be ready for dessert faster than if you were to start with fiber and end with carbs. Speaking of dessert...

Tip 4: You always have room for pie. 

Sweet foods do not make us feel full in the same way savory foods do, so go ahead and eat that piece of pumpkin pie! Even if you feel pretty full, it's unlikely that pie is going to be the food that puts you over the edge since sweet foods fill us up less than savory foods. Plus, who doesn't want pie on Thanksgiving?

Tip 5: Work in shifts of 60-90 minutes. 

If you're the type of person to go back for seconds, try to wait around 60-90 minutes before tackling another plate of food. Your stomach will be able to fit more this way because it will have had enough time to move the last bite you ate into your intestines meaning you'll be able to start the whole process over again.

Tip 6: Try to avoid napping immediately after dinner. 

While a nap is one of the staples of a good Thanksgiving in my opinion, try not to nap right after you get done eating. Standing up and moving around for a few minutes will help your body digest food faster and help you feel better when you wake up. If you lay down right after eating, your stomach will be turned on it's side meaning it's going to take a lot longer and a lot more effort for it to digest all the food you consumed. Do yourself a favor and take a lap or two before you nap. You'll thank me later.