Eat, drink and be merry – but in moderation

The holidays are traditionally filled with family, fun and food. Indulging is part of many celebrations, but unfortunately, so is packing on the pounds. So what is a health-conscious reveler to do? Here are a few ideas on how to enjoy traditional holiday goodies while keeping calories in check.

Don’t leave the house hungry. Eating something small before going to a party or to the mall will leave room for a special dish but discourage overeating.

Only eat treats you can’t find the rest of the year. Grandma’s sweet potato pie and Aunt Jane’s gingerbread cookies only come around once a year, so consider choosing those over a dish you can find anywhere at any time.

Control your portions. One cookie, one piece of fudge or a small slice of pie lets you enjoy the traditional flavors and smells of the holidays without overdoing it.

Bring a healthy dish to the party. Those watching their weight will be sure of having a low-calorie snack if they provide it themselves. And speaking of snacks, try to stand more than an arm’s length from bowls of nuts or chips to avoid automatically reaching for a bite every few seconds.

Don’t stop exercising. It may be hard to stick to a routine during this busy season, but try a little extra walking at the mall or a little more active play time with the kids while they are out of school.

Thinking a little more about how you celebrate now will make it less likely you’ll be thinking about a diet in the new year.