Thanksgiving’s Dirty Secrets

Hi Fitlifer,

Ah, Thanksgiving. The day we give thanks, pile our plates high and wonder why we feel like a stuffed turkey by the end of it.

Here’s what we’ll dig into together this week…

• 🚨 Hidden Culprits in Your Thanksgiving Favorites

• 🦃 Holiday Hormones: Why You’re Hungrier Around Family

• 💛 Gratitude Over Guilt: The Power of Intention

• 💥 The 3 Worst Thanksgiving Habits for Your Gut

• 🚑 What’s happening this week in health…

Let’s not forget about Black Friday! You can get the best deals and promotions on your favorite Organifi products. Don’t miss out - click away, my friend.

Bonus - want to win some Organifi Products? Rate the newsletter (at the bottom) and let us know what you’re struggling with or want to learn next.

🚨 Hidden Culprits in Your Thanksgiving Dishes

Did you know some classic holiday dishes are packed with gut-wrecking ingredients like maltodextrin, artificial sweeteners, and unhealthy oils?

Here’s what they’re doing to your body:

• Gut Disruption: Maltodextrin feeds bad gut bacteria, throwing your microbiome off balance.

• Energy Crashes: Artificial sweeteners trick your body, leading to cravings and crashes.

• Inflammation Overload: Hydrogenated oils can spike inflammation levels.

Clean swaps to save the day:

• Instead of gravy mix: Make your own with turkey drippings, broth, and a touch of arrowroot powder.

• Ditch canned cranberry sauce: Blend fresh cranberries with honey and orange zest.

• Trade in boxed stuffing: Try sourdough or gluten-free bread cubes mixed with sage, thyme, and real butter. Check out this article, which shows the best swaps for a holiday feast.

Pro Tip: Power up your healthy bacteria with Organifi’s Better Biome Gummies

🦃 Holiday Hormones: Why You’re Hungrier Around Family

Let’s be real: It’s not just the stuffing calling your name at Thanksgiving.

Something deeper is at play, and it has everything to do with your hormones and the whirlwind of emotions that come with family gatherings.

First, there’s cortisol, the infamous stress hormone. Whether it’s juggling a busy kitchen or navigating Aunt Linda’s “life advice,” elevated cortisol can ramp up your appetite and send you reaching for those buttery rolls and pies.

Then there’s the ghrelin and leptin imbalance. These two hormones regulate hunger and fullness, but holiday chaos and irregular eating can throw them out of whack. The result? Ghrelin screams, “More mashed potatoes!” while leptin whispers, “You’re full… maybe… I think?”

Break the Cycle:

• Snack smart: Keep almonds or walnuts handy to curb mindless grazing.

• Balance your hormones: Add adaptogens like ashwagandha to your routine for stress support. Organifi Green Juice is my go-to here.

• Stay hydrated: Thirst often disguises itself as hunger, so drink up!

This Thanksgiving, remember: Your hormones don’t have to run the show—you’ve got this!

💥 The 3 Worst Thanksgiving Habits for Your Gut

Thanksgiving is all about indulgence, but if you’re not careful, a few common habits can turn the holiday feast into a gut-wrecking disaster. Feeling bloated, sluggish, or stuffed to the brim doesn’t have to be part of the tradition.

The good news? Small tweaks can make a big difference, so you can enjoy every bite and keep your digestion happy.

Avoid Skipping Breakfast: Starting your day with an empty stomach guarantees to overindulge later.

Fix it: Have a light, protein-packed breakfast like eggs and avocado toast.

Avoid Overeating: Piling your plate leads to bloating and digestive distress.

Fix it: Use a smaller plate and pace yourself. Chat between bites.

Avoid Sugary Desserts: Cakes and pies overload your system with refined sugar.

Fix it: Opt for a pumpkin chia pudding or baked apples with cinnamon.

Pro Tip: After dinner, sip on a cup of ginger tea to soothe your stomach.

💛 Gratitude Over Guilt: The Power of Intention

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, yet so many of us approach the table with guilt—worrying about overeating or indulging in less-than-healthy dishes.

But here’s the secret: gratitude can transform how your body processes food and how you feel about the meal itself.

When you take a moment to pause, breathe, and express gratitude for your food, you activate your parasympathetic nervous system—the part responsible for your "rest and digest" state. This simple practice can:

• Boost the production of digestive enzymes for smoother digestion.

• Increase blood flow to your stomach for better nutrient absorption.

• Lower stress hormones like cortisol, reducing inflammation and promoting gut health.

So, before diving into the turkey and stuffing, take a moment. Appreciate the colors on your plate, the aroma in the air, and the love behind the meal. When you replace guilt with gratitude, you’re not just feeding your body—you’re nourishing your soul.

Find out more with this article, which dives into how gratitude can create a physical and emotional impact on your health.

🥄 Yes, You Really Should Toss That Black Plastic Spatula Recent research suggests that everyday kitchen utensils made of black plastic, such as spatulas, can pose health risks due to the presence of flame retardants often found in recycled materials. Switch to wood or stainless steel to avoid risks.

💧 Regulators Tighten Rules on 'Forever Chemicals' in Drinking Water due to their pervasive presence and potential harm to public health. These substances found in consumer products and manufacturing processes, have contaminated water and soil globally. Recent studies show significant PFAS levels in bottled water and drinking water that affect a large population.

🏠 Too Much of This Particle Can Cause Coughing, Bronchitis, and Even Cancer Dust, composed of various potentially harmful particles, can pose significant health risks when present in high quantities within homes. Homes can also contain toxic elements like lead and PFAS. To mitigate these risks, use tool kits like The Dust Test to check for contaminants, and maintain a rigorous cleaning routine.

🛍️ See Which 17 Brands Made 'Toxic Hall of Shame' for Using 'Dangerous' Chemicals - Chipotle, Trader Joe's Get Fs on Report Card. The report highlighted the need for retailers to not only ban toxic chemicals but to ensure their replacements are safe.

You’ve Got This, Fitlifer!

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to derail your health journey. With a few simple swaps and stress-busting strategies, you can enjoy the feast, support your gut, and still feel amazing the next day.

In the spirit of being grateful, I want you to know that I am thankful for you because at the end of the day - we are all in this together! Happy Thanksgiving, my friend.

Drew Canole

PS: Want to win some Organifi products? Rate the newsletter (below) and let us know what you’re struggling with or want to learn next.