Eating Healthy During the Holidays

The surgeon general is issuing a temporary food pyramid for the holiday season. Instead of the usual grains/vegetables/dairy/meats, our meals will come from candy canes/fudge/eggnog/turkey.

I'm kidding, of course, but it is important to watch what you eat year-round, not just certain times of the year. It seems like school starts in September then it's all about food - from PTA meetings to bake sales and Halloween. Then we move right into November and December holiday gatherings! It's important to be vigilant about what we eat as we move into this exciting time of the year.

With all the cocktail parties, family gatherings, and other shindigs, how does a person remain steadfast when staring down the barrel of a cheese ball that is just waiting to sabotage a diet? Fear not. Here are some tips to avoid the holiday poundage that won't leave you feeling bah humbug.

1. By planning ahead, you can put in a few extra minutes per walk and eat healthy meals on before and after a party. Don't go to a party starving! You'll grab the first schnitzel you see without thinking about it. If you're the party host, you can choose serve lighter fare and use smaller plates to help control portion sizes.

2. Mind your p's and q's! Drinkable calories still count as calories! If you're going to imbibe, be aware of what's in it. Low-cal options include diet soda (with or without a mixer), white wine, or seltzer water with a splash of lemon or lime. Watch out for high-cal counterparts: egg nog, beer, and sugary drinks like punch.

3. Pick healthier options from the menu and spend your extra calories carefully. If Auntie Martha's homemade truffle cake makes you weep with joy, don't fill your plate with Uncle Bert's so-so Bean Dip. You'll enjoy what you really like instead of what you don't care much for.

4. Incognito calories - Watch out for healthy foods swimming high-fat sauces, dips and cheeses. Good-for-you celery turns into a caloric nightmare when covered in creamy dip.

5. Watch out for sneak attacks! If your diet is going along great until a giant pile of snickerdoodles appears in the break room at work, be sure you have something available to snack on that won't undo your hard work - some almonds or a small apple will help take the edge off your appetite and curb the cookie panic.

6. Remember, your overall health is determined by your long-term choices throughout the year. The menorah's packed away and the Christmas tree has become fertilizer, but you don't want to be left with five or ten pounds of holiday memory around your middle.

Armed with these tips, you'll be ready for all your upcoming wing dings. Merry Christmas, Mazel Tov, and bon appetit!