10 tips for preventing weight gain over the holidays

“Parties are meant to be enjoyed,” Diekman says, adding that a little advance planning can ensure that, while people may not actually lose weight, they can keep weight gain in check.

She offers the following holiday party tips:

• Have a plan for the party (which foods do you want to eat and which can you do without)

• Don’t go to parties hungry (hunger always leads to overeating)

• Upon arrival at the party, visit with people, enjoy a beverage, scope out the offerings, then choose a few items you really want to try vs. sampling items throughout the event

• Try sparkling water or club soda with a twist, instead of alcohol or enjoy in-between alcoholic drinks

• Don’t stand by the food table – you’ll be tempted to continue snacking as you visit with people

• Fill your plate with high-fiber, low-calorie choices and smaller portions of the high-calorie favorites

• Holidays mean compromise – enjoy your favorites in small portions

• At sit-down dinners, eat slowly, savor the food and you may not find yourself wanting seconds

• Remember, holiday parties are about fun and catching up with friends; food isn’t first

• If things don’t go as you planned, keep in mind the holiday season is only four weeks; how are you doing the other 48?

Provided by Washington University in St. Louis