This Christmas Eat Smart, Party Smart – 5 Tricks

It?s party season! But don?t let a few parties sabotage your efforts to maintain without gaining. Celebrate the themes of balance, joy and good cheer with these five strategies.

1. Enjoy the company first, the food second.
2. When you arrive at a party, relax and wait 30 minutes before eating.
3. Remember your intention to reunite with good friends and family, share laughter and cheer, and celebrate the season.

1. Do not skip meals and ?starve? yourself during the day before a party, or you?ll likely end up overeating.
2. Drink plenty of water, and eat light, regularly-spaced meals during the day.
3. Have a piece of fresh fruit or low fat cheese before going to a party. Don?t arrive hungry.

3. Look twice, eat once

1. Take a second look at all the food options before you make a selection. Survey the entire buffet
   table and decide which dishes you desire the most.
2. Make a pact with a friend or family member who is also attending the party to only take one plate of
   food. Place only small amounts of food on your plate.
3. Choose your indulgences wisely and savor them. There are too many opportunities to eat great food during the holiday season to settle for food that is so-so.
4. Balance your indulgences with fruits and veggies.
5. If you?re asked to contribute food to a potluck meal, be sure to take a healthy choice. Or, if you are in
   charge of the menu, plan healthfully.

?4. Choose your beverages wisely

1. ?If you choose to drink alcohol, limit your intake to one or two drinks and sip them slowly. One alcoholic beverage contains between 150 to 450 calories. Alcohol calories are more likely to be stored around your waist (i.e., the dangerous abdominal weight gain or apple shape) and may also reduce your self-control over your food intake.
2. Use calorie-free mixers such as club soda, diet tonic water and diet soda pop.
3. Beware of calories in punch. The combination of ingredients, such as soda pop, fruit juice, fruit- flavored beverages, ice cream or sherbet results in a high calorie concoction. Substitute diet soda pop, reduced calorie juices and sugar-free fruit flavored drink mixes in your favorite punch recipes.
4. Look for hot beverages at parties. They take longer to drink and are often more satisfying.

5. Maintain perspective

1. One day of overindulging or not exercising won?t cause you to gain weight. It takes days of excessive
   eating and under-activity to gain weight.
2. Enjoy your indulgences, but try to be reasonable. Stop eating when you feel full, no matter how delicious it tastes. Learn how to truly eat and enjoy, rather than overeat and regret.
3. Return to a place of balance the following day? without guilt.