Have a happy and HEALTHY Holiday!

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These tips can help you celebrate holidays the healthy way!
Weight management 
Focus on weight management rather than weight loss.
Exercise
Plan for it and write it in your calendar. Exercise helps relieve holiday stress and prevent weight gain.
Meals
Do not skip meals. Skipping breakfast or lunch before a big holiday dinner actually causes you to overeat - especially on carbs and sugar. 
Healthy choices 
If you know that you will not find any healthy choices, offer to bring something along, such as a salad, vegetable dish, chicken, or fish.
Appetite control 
Pace yourself and become more aware of what you are eating and drinking. Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. Try having a healthy snack before you head to your get together. Include a source of protein to prevent hunger.
Portion control 
Peruse your food choices first, then select small portions of those that you must have. This will allow you to enjoy all the different foods offered, while still controlling your calorie intake. 
Alcohol
If you drink, opt for a wine spritzer with club soda or seltzer. Beer drinker? Go for lite varieties. Alcohol is high in calories, so be sure to limit your consumption.
Nibble temptation 
Stand away from buffet tables and food trays to avoid the urge to nibble. Focus on conversing with others to distract yourself from temptations.
Family and friends 
Talk more, eat less. Make the holiday season about enjoying company, rather than all about the food.
The rainbow 
Challenge yourself to fill your plate with a rainbow of colors. Choose different varieties of fruits and vegetables often.
No thank you 
Learn to say “no” politely. You can say: “No thank you. I have had enough. Everything was delicious.” This works even with someone who will not take “no” for an answer.
Compliments 
Social events do not mean that you have to totally abandon proper eating habits and your prescribed diet or wreak havoc on your waistline. Even if you are not completely successful at eating right, compliment yourself for trying and then try harder the next time!

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