Discover why traditional Thanksgiving advice—skip breakfast, use willpower, save calories—backfires for women over 40 and what to do instead. Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist Jennifer Hanway reveals the science-backed Thanksgiving Plate Hack to enjoy the feast without the bloat, guilt, or Friday morning regret.

In this episode, you'll learn how skipping meals triggers cortisol and sabotages fat-burning in perimenopause, the exact eating order that flattens glucose curves by 70%, and two powerful decision-making frameworks (the Either/Or Rule and Love It or Leave It Test) to navigate every holiday gathering through New Year's.

Jennifer breaks down the complete day strategy from morning metabolism optimization to post-dinner recovery, plus what to do the day after without restriction or punishment. This hormone-focused approach works WITH your body's natural rhythms, not against them. Perfect for women in perimenopause, postmenopause, or anyone struggling with holiday weight gain, blood sugar imbalances, and food stress during the six-week holiday season.

Key Topics

[00:02:30 ] Introduction: Why Traditional Thanksgiving Advice Fails

[00:03:30 ] The Full Day Game Plan

[00:05:30 ] The Science of Blood Sugar & Cortisol

[00:06:30 ] The Healthy Morning Stack Protocol

[00:07:30 ] The Thanksgiving Plate Hack Revealed

[00:08:30 ] Strategic Carbohydrate Selection

[00:09:30 ] Alcohol Strategy & Mindful Eating

[00:10:30 ] The Choose Your Indulgence Method

[00:11:30 ] The Love It or Leave It Test

[00:12:30 ] Post-Meal Recovery & Day After Strategy

[00:13:30 ] Holiday Season Strategic Flexibility

[00:14:30 ] Community Q&A

[00:15:30 ] Closing & Resources

Key Takeaways

✅ Eat Protein First: Start with 6+ ounces of turkey or your main protein to stabilize blood sugar, trigger satiety hormones (GLP-1 and PYY), and increase metabolic rate through the thermic effect of food.

✅ Master the Eating Order: Consume protein first, vegetables second, and carbohydrates last. This sequence alone can flatten your glucose curve by up to 70%, reducing cravings, fatigue, and fat storage.

✅ Use the Either/Or Rule: At every meal or party, choose ONE indulgence category (bread basket OR wine, appetizer OR dessert) to minimize blood sugar spikes while still enjoying holiday foods without restriction.

✅ Never Skip Breakfast on Thanksgiving: Skipping meals elevates cortisol, crashes blood sugar, and triggers overeating by 3 PM when your prefrontal cortex checks out and primal brain takes over.

✅ Return to Routine Immediately: The day after Thanksgiving, resume your normal eating schedule without restriction or punishment. One meal doesn't cause fat gain—staying off track for weeks does.

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🎁 Get the Complete Holiday Glow Through Guide

Ready to navigate the entire holiday season with confidence? Jennifer's Holiday Glow Through Guide includes metabolism support protocols, gut health strategies, blood sugar-balancing recipes, sleep optimization, and stress management techniques designed specifically for women over 40.

📸 Share Your Thanksgiving Plate Hack

Trying the protein-first strategy this year? Take a photo of your Thanksgiving plate and tag @jenniferhanway on Instagram. Jennifer will be resharing her favorites and cheering you on!

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