Next time you hear "Happy Holidays", think "Healthy Holidays". With these simple tips — take your pick — even one or two of them — you'll realize just how easy it can be.
1) Eating Out. Restaurant entrees are a challenge. Remember that we live in a super-size world, so don't ever trust the serving sizes you get from any restaurant. Look at the dish before you and cut the starch (rice, pasta, potato) by a third to half and eat the rest.
2) Beware of Bread. Whether you're at a restaurant or a special event, watch out for bread and bread products everywhere. In the best of all worlds, you have one serving daily of a whole-wheat or multi-grain type bread. Eat it slowly and enjoy.
3) Beware of Buffets. Buffets are especially difficult for people who just don't know when to say "no." Try small servings of lots of interesting foods. Use a smaller plate to limit yourself. Try to stick to one serving rather than loading up many times over.
4) Don't Leave Home Hungry. Before you leave for your event, make sure you're not hungry. If you are, have something simple like a piece of fruit, two low-fat string cheese sticks, or a yogurt or a multi-grain cracker with a serving of low-fat peanut butter on it. All of these will help fill you up and give you control over the foods you choose.
5) Daily Exercise. Before attending a special event where food will be served, get in your exercise that day. That's like putting money in the bank because it frees up some calories to spend on foods at the event.
6) Call Ahead. If you know the hostess or host of the event, call ahead and tell her or him that you don't eat red meat, or ask if there will be a choice of fruit for dessert rather than the chocolate mousse. Most people are more than happy to accommodate their guests' needs.
7) Bring Your Own Food. If it's a potluck, you're the one in luck! Bring your own food to share with others. Veggies, fruit and healthy sources of protein are great to bring. They cover you and put you in charge!
8) Watch the Alcohol. Be careful about how much alcohol you consume at an event. The more you drink, the more uninhibited you become, which means you stop paying attention and start making mistakes. Limit yourself to no more than two glasses of wine. Try to avoid hard liquor — for the calories and because mixing liquor and wine can lead to overeating.
9) Dealing With Desserts. At any event, there's always that wild-and-crazy and ever-so-tempting dessert. Learn to share. The more the merrier. If you end up eating a third of that creme brulee, well done. It will save you the fat and calories, as well as teach you, once again, how to savor.
