What is your Thanksgiving trigger food?

Parties, big dinners, holiday celebrations, and events where there's a bounty of food and drinks don't normally worry me. If I eat a lot at one of those meals, I'm pretty good about scheduling some kind of activity the next day or counter-attacking with lots of vegetable and healthy stuff. I also recognize, however, that sometimes out of boredom, nervousness, or buzziness from a glass of wine or two, I eat more than I really want. Usually, that slow-building binge starts at the bowl of chips.

Salt does me in way more than sugar -- even in the form of delicious pies and delicate truffles and gooey brownies. I'm happy to eat one or even just take a taste of those desserts. But chips and salsa? Parmesan breadsticks? Cashews and pretzels? Forget it. I'll clear out the bowl long before the host comes by to pour out more salty goodness.

Then, of course, I usually need more to drink. Then I'm heading into the meal with a full belly and diminished inhibition. While it's not likely I'll be an embarrassment to myself, in those moments, it is likely that I will go well beyond my normal limits to the place where my Spanx are more snug than usual.

To avoid that uggghhh feeling before the salads have been served, it's good for me to steer clear of the appetizers altogether. In fact, it works best to ask first for a glass of water and find a place to mingle where I can't even see/smell/envision the flatbread crackers and goat cheese.

Sipping slowly on water means I have something in my hand and something filling my belly, but it also means I've got plenty of time and room for any dinner or drinks as the evening progresses. Much better.

Thanksgiving is not the only opportunity to practice small steps toward eating healthier and feeling better in your body. There are a host of holiday parties on most people's calendars at this point that will give you the chance to fight back (kindly, gently, and even in Spanx) at your own triggers.

Before we all sit down to a Thanksgiving celebration this week, what if we thought of a few little ways we can be sure we're as comfortable -- not squeezed or food-stressed -- as possible?

What are your big trigger foods at Thanksgiving?