The holidays are here! This means that many of us will be invited to numerous parties, brunches, dinners, and other gatherings all of which will be a great opportunity to eat and drink healthily. One could only wish! The fact is that most of the parties we attend will have plenty of guilty pleasure foods ranging from cookies and pie to cheesy casseroles and buttery breads. It’s easy to forget about the calories. Everyone is eating, drinking, and having a good time, why shouldn’t you? Chances are you’ll also be given a little (or a lot of) guilt for not having at least a taste of everything. However, with a little planning you can save yourself from the holiday pounds that you could pack on over the holidays. Here are a few tips.

• Make holiday dinners sensible. Don’t feel the need to make everything that can possibly be considered part of the dinner. Steam side dishes instead of sautéing them in butter. Limit the amount of cream and cheese you use. Choose one guilty pleasure dish that everyone likes and make that your only “unhealthy” choice.
• Eat a small, healthy meal before you go to a party. This way you are not tempted to make your entire dinner out of party food. Limit yourself to one or two small selections at the party.
• Make every other drink water and start with water. You will save yourself the calories and possibly the embarrassment of being the tipsy one at the company dinner.
• Arrive after the meal is complete If you have many places and parties to go to in one day. You will be less likely to get a guilt trip for not eating.
• Maintain your healthy diet choices when not at a party or event. It is tempting to throw your healthy eating habits out the window all together this time of year. It is important that you try your best to stick to your regular, healthy diet.
• Enjoy yourself and don’t stress too much about it!!! Go ahead, live a little and certainly don’t drive yourself crazy thinking of the calories in grandma’s pumpkin cheesecake pie. Make sensible decisions and don’t overindulge.

Healthy Holidays!

Have any suggestions to help others through the holiday food blues? Please share your ideas below. Thank you!