Your holiday eating survival guide 

• Plan ahead. Start each week by planning dinners, stocking healthy snacks, and scheduling your workouts. This is not the time of year to try new and complicated recipes.  Familiar recipes will take less time and reduce stress.
• Eat before you leave for the party. Eat something small before you face party food and drinks. That way you won’t arrive with an empty stomach and make bad choices. Eat some fruit, vegetables, a handful of nuts, or some Greek yogurt before you head out the door.
• Step away from the buffet. Most holiday get-togethers include a buffet or hors d’oeuvres table. Once you fill your plate with one layer of food, walk away from the table.  Try to focus on fresh salads, crudités, and lean proteins like shrimp, turkey, and ham. Avoid the high-calorie bread, pasta, and cheese-laden items.
   
• Eat slowly. The slower you eat, the less you’ll eat. It takes your brain 15 minutes to register when your stomach is full. A slow eater will eat less food, which means fewer calories. Take your time when you eat and enjoy it.
• Drink up (water, that is). Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially during a feast or while drinking alcohol (alternate a glass of water with each alcoholic drink). Water will keep you hydrated, which increases your energy level and reduces overeating.
• Make treats small. You’re allowed to have fun during the holidays! Allow yourself one small dessert. Be selective and savor it.
• Sneak in more veggies. Add more vegetables to each course when you cook. Making mashed potatoes? Make them half potatoes and half cauliflower. You can add steamed, puréed vegetables into almost any dish. Add puréed butternut squash to your macaroni and cheese—you will increase the nutritional value, decrease the calories per serving and no one will know the difference!

What’s your favorite holiday food?

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