Eat, Drink and Stay Healthy

Instructions

1. Adopt a cognitive switch regarding parties. Think of them as an opportunity to enjoy friends and events, rather than a license to overeat. Make your focus the people, the music, the mood, and the holiday spirit, instead of the food. Bring along a favorite holiday CD or two, or even a new game if it seems appropriate.
2. Shop at the buffet table before choosing food. Plan your strategy for the evening; right down to knowing which special treat you'll save for your grand finale food.
3. Each time you visit the buffet, choose one serving of just one or two foods. Enjoy them in nibbles while you visit with friends and meet new people.
4. Water down the calories with a tall glass of water, diet soda or club soda. Allow the calorie-free beverage to fill you up, not the food. You can still enjoy the great food, but in smaller portions.
5. Take a dish you know is healthy just in case the fare is on the heavy side.
6. Try the 80-20 rule of eating. Give into cravings, such as a rich chocolate cake, 20% of the time. Choose eight healthy nibbles for every two rich and heavy ones.
7. Don't starve yourself before a party. This increases the chance that you'll binge because you're so hungry.
8. Adopt mindful eating, which means enjoying food in small bites and savoring every little one. To think of this another way, have you ever downed an entire candy bar or dish of ice cream while stressed without even tasting it? Mindful eating is the exact opposite. It's a way to enjoy the many layers of flavor in each food.
9. Search for a recipe that cuts calories without sacrificing flavor as a substitute for one of your holiday favorites. Do a practice run before serving it at a party. Remember, you don't have to cut out all fat and other good flavors. You just have to cut them back.
10. Serve smaller portions of favorite foods for which there is no substitute. For example, instead of cutting a chocolate mousse pie into eight pieces, slice it into 10. Everyone will enjoy the fabulous flavors with little or no guilt.