When you’re watching your weight, or just trying to be healthy, holiday parties can be a challenge. And, they seem to multiply every year. There’s your office party, your neighbors’ parties, your kids’ parties at school, and of course, your own family gatherings.

If visions of yule log cakes, cookies, and cheese balls have you panicked, take heart. You don’t have to forgo healthy eating this season. And you don’t have to skip out on all the merriment. Here are some tips to help you stay on track and avoid weight gain from all those holiday parties.

• Eat Breakfast. When you start your day off with a healthy, nutritious, and satisfying meal, you’re more likely to continue to make healthy food choices throughout the day. The morning of a holiday party, start your day with a morning meal that includes healthy protein, like eggs or low-fat yogurt, lean meat, and fruit.
• Keep Moving. The holiday season is busy. If you don’t have time to go to the gym or do your regular workout, look for ways you can incorporate physical activity into your day. Take your dog for a walk, have a dance party with your kids or grandkids, or anything else that gets your heart pumping.
• Bring Your Own Healthy Dish. If you’re attending a potluck, offer to bring a healthy main course or side dish. That way, you’re guaranteed to have a lighter, healthier option to eat.
• Use Small Plates. When making a plate at a party, choose the smallest plate available. Smaller plates help keep your portions in control, as they limit the amount of space you can fill.
• Load up on the Veggies. Once you’ve grabbed your small plate, head over to the vegetables. Fill half your plate with raw veggies. Raw vegetables are best because you know they haven’t been cooked in, or covered with, calorie-filled sauces. If you want to add a some flavor, drizzle a little balsamic vinegar over your veggies.
• Make Sure Your Plate is Colorful. Once your plate is filled take a look down. You should have a variety of colors represented. A plate of brightly-colored foods is often a sign that you’ve made wise choices. Just be sure those colors are not coming from candies and sweets!
• Have a Nibble of Chocolate. That’s right… chocolate. Dark chocolate has been shown to promote satiety, so you feel fuller longer. Having a little nibble of the dark variety can also help to satisfy your sweet tooth, so you don’t overindulge at the dessert table. Note that milk chocolate does not provide the same health benefits. Look for dark chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa.
• Socialize and circulate. If you’ve finished eating, keep yourself busy talking to family and friends, away from the table of food, so you’re not tempted to go back for seconds or thirds. Parties aren’t just about the food. Use this time to get to know someone new, or catch up with an old friend.

This article is written by  + Stu Lieberman the writer for Nutri-Health.com, an online High Quality Health Supplements such as PQQ.  Assisting people and helping them find quality natural health supplements online is what Stu has been doing for over 3 years.  Nutri-Health.com carries Digestive Supplements to Probiotics to Joint Health.