From tailgating and the holidays to anniversaries and birthdays, food is central to almost every celebration. 

The Holiday Season is fast approaching, bringing opportunities to spread good cheer and celebrate, eat and drink with friends and family. Even the most disciplined dieters and healthy eaters struggle with temptation during the holidays. Navigating party food “landmines” with your diet intact can be difficult, so it’s important to have a plan in place before hitting the buffet table.

Speare Memorial Hospital’s Dietitian and Certified Health Coach Janette Gaumer recommends:

Going to a party or potluck?

• Offer to bring dessert and replace cookies and cupcakes with a fresh fruit salad or fruit kabobs.  Fruit kabobs are a great way to get the kids involved.  Take it one step further and have dessert double as a decoration with a fruit kabob tree.

Craving a crunchy chip?

• Try baked tortillas with fresh avocado or guacamole.  Avocado is a healthy fat that helps nourish the body and increase metabolism to decrease the body’s fat production.

Need a quick and easy appetizer?

• Skip the chips and dip and substitute hummus and veggies.  Carrots, celery, red and orange pepper slices, broccoli and cauliflower all make good dippers and give snackers a chance to sample a rainbow of color.

What about the main meal? 

• Moving on to the main meal, fill your plate first with fruits, vegetables and healthy carbohydrates such as sweet potato, brown rice, barley or quinoa.

Love interesting textures and flavors?

• Toss a salad with fresh greens, low fat feta cheese, cranberries and top with almonds, pecans or walnuts.