With the holiday season in full swing, life can get pretty crazy! Parties, shopping, eating…it feels like the madness never slows down. Take a deep breath! If you have practiced good eating habits throughout the year, chances are they will carry over into the holiday season.

Strategies to managing holiday food

1. Do not starve yourself before going to a holiday party. You’ll probably eat more than you intended. Instead, have a snack 1 ½ hours before you go to your event. Eat greek yogurt and fruit, string cheese and an apple, turkey slices, or some hummus and veggies, or a hard boiled egg. Make sure your snack is packed full of protein as this will prevent you from going to the party ravenously hungry.
2. Choose a healthy appetizer at the party before drinking an alcoholic beverage. Alcohol stimulates appetite so you are more likely to consume more food when drinking on an empty stomach.
3. Drink a glass of water between each glass of wine. This will decrease the amount calories and alcoholic beverages you consume.
4. Stay clear of the office lounge! Holiday season can be deadly with all the holiday candy on co-workers’ desks and with the cookies, brownies and cakes tempting you in the lunchroom.
5. Keep your desk stocked with healthy, tasty snacks so you’re not tempted by all the holiday delectables.
6. DON’T BE SEDUCED BY THE CANDY COUNTER. Purchase non-food items for gifts.