THE MARKETPLACE (blog)

Holiday Parties

You don’t have to skip holiday parties to maintain a healthy weight, all you have to do is practice portion control.

Tips for Eating at Holiday Parties

Here are a few tips to reduce the urge to overeat while still enjoying yourself at any holiday party this season.

• Don’t skip meals. This will leave you over hungry and more likely to over-indulge.
• Before leaving for a party, eat a light healthy snack like raw vegetables or a piece of fruit to curb your appetite.



• Scan the buffet first and make a mental plan of what you’d like to try before loading up your plate with foods you may not even really want.
• Start by filling a plate with veggies and salad before going for the entrees and desserts.
• Use smaller plates. The less you put on your plate the less you can eat.
• Sit or stand as far away from the buffet table as you can. The closer you are to the food table, the more tempting it is to go back for more.
• Eat only when you are hungry and not because food is near you. Those calories count too and we tend to forget how much we really had as we nibble along.



• Before you go back for seconds, wait about 10 minutes and then ask yourself if you are still hungry. If you are, go ahead.
• Watch out for liquid calories. There’s lost of tasty beverages like eggnog, cider, wine, and hot toddies that go down easily but add up quickly.
• Choose your food splurges wisely. If you decide to forgo moderation on a treat or a dish you really have to have, cut calories elsewhere or add in some extra activity to your day.
• Bring a healthy dish to the party. This insures there is something you won’t feel guilty about indulging in.