The usual advice

Here are some more traditional tips from weight-loss experts on how to minimize the caloric damage from a Thanksgiving meal.

Before the feast, drink a broth-based soup. Calories in liquid form (unlike water) make people less hungry, and studies show that they reduce the calories consumed later.

Eat a big salad at the start of the meal. It’ll help fill you up so you won’t have as much room for the calorie-laden foods.

Avoid or limit alcohol. It means extra calories and it will weaken your self-control when the pumpkin pie arrives.

Fill the lion’s portion of your plate with healthier fare.

Indulge — selectively. Everyone has their favorite Thanksgiving items and others that they don’t care about. Don’t bother with the latter.

Eat the turkey — it’s lean meat and as protein is satiating. Just leave off the skin.

Eat slowly, chew and concentrate on your food. If you’re not paying attention, you’ll eat more.

Take breaks between courses. Doing so will give your brain time to register that you’re not hungry any more.

Don’t deprive yourself of something you really crave: You might just sneak to the fridge later on and have more than you’d have eaten in the first place.

If Aunt Millie is repeatedly pressing her pie on you and you don’t want to offend her, take several tiny portions. She’s more apt to notice how many servings you had than how much you ate. And bring to-go bags.

Get off your duff after the dinner and go for a walk. It’ll cut down on post-meal snacking.

Share your tips

Do you have your own ways of restraining yourself at the Thanksgiving smorgasbord? Share your tips with us — and other readers — at latimes.com/healthtips.