How to Stay on Your Diet During the Holidays

For most people, holiday eating means abandoning diets and gaining weight. A little advance planning can help prevent that post-holiday bulge without ruining your holiday feast.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Bottled Water
• Fruits
• Low-fat Food
• Vegetables
• Exercise Equipments

1. Reduce or avoid alcohol. This can save you a lot of calories.
2. Eat before going to a holiday party. You'll be less likely to fill up on sweets and high-calorie appetizers.
3. Keep up your exercise program. It will help you maintain your weight, give you more energy and allow you to deal better with holiday stress.
4. Bring fat-free or low-fat dishes to potluck parties. Encourage others to do the same.
5. Arrive at mealtime for a dinner party and avoid before-dinner drinks and appetizers.
6. Replace sweets with healthy holiday snacks such as fruit baskets and nuts in shells. They look just as festive and are healthier.
7. Attend only the parties you really want to go to. You'll save a lot of calories - and time.
8. Simplify the meal if you are cooking. Serve raw vegetables with a dip for an appetizer, a low-fat main course with one or two vegetables, and a fruit and low-fat cheese platter for dessert.
9. Set realistic goals. At a holiday dinner or party, indulge in some goodies, but eat smaller portions. Have only one glass of wine or Champagne. Take half a slice of pie.
10. Avoid skipping meals before a big holiday meal. You don't want to arrive starving and then gorge yourself on sweets and other unhealthy fare.
11. Use moderation and relax. If you break down and eat a high-fat dessert, just go easy on what you have the rest of the day or cut back a few calories tomorrow.
12. Drink lots of water.

Tips & Warnings

• Following common sense is your best bet.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with new - and healthier - types of holiday dinners.