Especially around the holidays, it's not just what you eat, it's how much. It's important to control the amount you eat. It all adds up even a little at a time.
It is easy to lose track of calories in a party situation. The buffet table usually offers every possible bad choice. Since those bad choices are tasty, this makes it easy to keep eating more and more.
Little plates and cocktail napkins can serve up big meals!
A good tip for holiday parties is to focus on the activities. Food and beverages should be a part of the event, not the center of attention. Get people moving and enjoying each other. Dance! Play active games!
Make smart choices with the dishes you prepare. Serve a raw vegetable tray with a spicy bean dip. Offer fresh fruits. Use whole grains and veggies to make a savory, healthy salad. Offer non-fat or light dressings.
Make small changes to your old recipes to make them healthier. There are plenty of ways to make healthier food choices. Use olive oil, soybean or canola instead of butter, shortening or margarine. Use brown rice instead of white. Try whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. Use non-fat or 1 percent milk instead of whole or 2 percent milk.
When you attend a party, be mindful of the food choices you make. Limit the amount of indulgences in sweets as well as fried, salty snacks.
Instead of potato chips, try popcorn with light butter or unsalted pretzels. Avoid lunch meats like salami, pepperoni and bologna. Instead, eat lean options like turkey, chicken and ham. If you have a choice, pick a baked potato or baked sweet potato instead of French fries. When it comes to sweets, one cookie is OK, not one cookie every ten minutes!
Think about these choices before the party and stick to your plan. Have fun! Enjoy your family and friends! That's what the party should be about.
