Healthful Holiday Eating

Holiday celebrations mean family, friends, fun…and food! Many partygoers who are trying to eat health-consciously or counting calories experience anxiety about holiday fare. You needn’t worry: most any food can fit into a healthy eating plan.

The secret is moderation. During this holiday season, follow these tips:

Be realistic. Trying to lose weight during the holidays is a self-defeating goal for the majority of individuals; strive instead to maintain your weight.

Balance your eating at get-togethers with calorie consumption at other meals. Plan ahead by having small, low-calorie meals during the day so you can enjoy foods served at parties. Be careful not to exceed your energy intake for the day. Don’t use a celebration as an excuse to binge. Train yourself to be consistent in your eating habits. Know your calorie limit for the day and stick to it.

Take the edge off your hunger before a party. Ingest a small snack, such as a serving of fruit, before heading out the door to your destination. Hunger can overrule even the strongest willpower! Don’t arrive ravenous. A medium apple, orange or pear is less than 100 calories. Having any of these choices prior to dinner will help avoid the tendency to overeat because of an empty stomach.

Conversation is calorie-free! Avoid making a beeline for the food table when you zip though the door. Greet people, grab a low-calorie beverage and catch up on events with people you haven’t seen in a while. Make new acquaintances.

Ask for sparkling water with a lime or lemon twist rather than wine, champagne or mixed drink. Sparkling water has zero calories. If you have wine, beer or another alcoholic beverage, set a limit of one or two drinks and stick to it. Pace yourself, and drink slowly.

If you’re supplying a dish, make it delicious and healthy. Consider bringing something that is low-calorie, such as raw vegetables with a yogurt or cottage cheese dip, or a platter of fresh fruit -- that way, you’ll know there’s something with fewer calories you can munch.

Forget the “all-or-nothing” mindset. Depriving yourself of special holiday foods or feeling guilty when you choose to enjoy them isn’t advisable.

When you’re the one doing the entertaining, include dishes with fewer calories and fat.

Have fun! Sharing food is part of holiday celebrations, and enjoying party foods with family and friends doesn’t need to destroy healthy food habits you’ve nurtured all year long.
Physical activity is a good way to burn calories ahead of time, and it can make you feel less guilty when enjoying party favorites. Lace up your jogging shoes and go for a walk or run earlier in the day. An after-dinner walk is always a good idea.
Enjoy the holidays!