9. Look Before You Leap
Take time to scope out the spread before taking a little bit of everything at the buffet table. Wein recommends finding your absolute favorites and taking small portions of those first. This way, you can always return to try other things if you're still hungry.
10. Watch Portion Sizes
Small portions can look pitiful on giant dinner plates, so create the illusion of eating more by choosing a smaller plate at buffets and parties. A smaller plate will make your portions look bigger and you'll feel more satisfied. Also, smaller servings will give you the opportunity to try more things without feeling stuffed.
11. Don't Park at the Buffet
Location is everything, even at parties. You know that if you sit within an arm's reach of the food, you'll automatically eat more. If you're a compulsive nibbler, you'll probably be unable to help yourself. Wein advises that you position yourself away from the food. Also, keep your mouth and hands busy by nursing a glass of diet soda or seltzer water. Remember, too, that water can help you feel full, so drink up!
12. Make New Traditions
Food doesn't have to be the center of holiday gatherings. Instead of meeting up with friends and family over dinner or dessert, plan a shopping outing or a snowy hike in the woods. Take your kids sledding or ice-skating and invite your friends and their children along. Also, that big dinner you have in the evening, will be less of a concern if you've spent the afternoon involved in calorie-burning activities, like hiking or skating.
13. Beware of the Spirits
Namely, the alcoholic kind. The high caloric content of alcoholic drinks, especially fancy fruity or creamy drinks, can quickly add up over the course of a party. Quagliani suggests having a glass of water in between alcoholic drinks to help you keep things in check. An even better option? Low-cal drinks such as diet soda, or sparkling water with twists of citrus fruits or a maraschino cherry for a more festive drink. While we're on drinks, steer clear of that homemade egg-nog. It's high-sugar and fat content leave little room for enjoying other goodies.
14. Out of Sight, Out of Mouth
The bowls of candy, nuts and other assorted goodies you place around the house for a party may look festive, but they are also a constant temptation to needlessly nibble. Put snacks out for just guests, otherwise keep them in the cupboard where they'll be out of sight and out of your mouth.
15. Indulge Yourself
Denying yourself your favorite foods right now will only make you depressed and vulnerable to sudden late-night pig-outs, plus it will also make you want that desired thing that much more. In these instances resistance is futile, so just give in. Eating one serving of a gooey dessert or rich casserole isn't bad for you as long as you do it in moderation, keep your portion size small and don't go back for seconds. Indulgence on special occasions won't put on the pounds--making it a habit will.
16. Don't Fast for World Peace
Unless you observe Ramadan--the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and a traditional time of fasting among observant Muslims--starving yourself all day in preparation for a big dinner or party is a bad move. Fasting all day will only making you hungrier, causing you to feel out of control and possibly overeat. Alphin adds, that you'll be more likely to choose high-fat, high-sugar foods to eat the hungrier you are. A smarter option is to eat smaller meals throughout the day of your dinner or party.
17. Keep things in perspective
In this time of holiday excess, don't lose sight of what normal-sized portions look like. Use this quick refresher course:
• A serving of mashed potatoes is the size of a standard ice cream scoop
• A serving of meat is as thick as a deck of cards (or as large as the palm of your hand)
• One serving of cheese is the size of your thumb
18. B.Y.O.F. (Bring Your Own Food)
If you're bringing a dish to a party, the American Dietetic Association recommends that you make it a healthy one. This is a way to ensure that there's at least one "safe" item you can munch on. Make a lower-cal version of a favorite dish (roasted sweet potatoes in lieu of the candied variety) or bring a plate of fresh veggies and fruit with low-fat dip, so that you can nibble on these instead of chips, crackers and cheese.
19. Not Everyday Is a Holiday
There are plenty of days between Thanksgiving and New Year's that aren't packed with parties and big family dinners. So make a point of sticking to your healthy habits on those days. "Starting with Thanksgiving, some people start eating more whether there's a special occasion or not," says Quagliani. "It's okay to enjoy yourself on special days, but not every day."
20. Shift Your Focus
Let food be secondary to interacting with friends and family. Zero in on people you want to talk to--not the buffet table--at parties. The goal is to spend more time interacting with them and less time loading your plate. "Remember that the purpose of the holidays is being with people," says Quagliani. "Conversation is calorie-free."
published: October 2000
