It's Christmas time again, a time for joy peace and good will. Banquets, parties and feasting are the delights of the Christmas season and every one wants to be a part of it. We socialize, meet old friends and new ones too, this is all good, Unfortunately it is also a time when many people add another ten pounds to their ever increasing weight problem and spend the rest of the new year trying to get them off . If you don't want to get caught in the fat gaining trap this Christmas, you need an Action Plan! Here are a few tips just for you!

1. Make sure you have had your regular meals throughout the day even if they are smaller than usual. Don't go to the banquet hungry!

2. Ten minutes before you eat, get a tall glass of water.

3. At the buffet table:

a. Look the table over.

b. Decide what you would like to eat and what you would by pass.

c. Take small portions.

d. Be the last person from your table in the food line,

e. After serving yourself, move to another area to eat instead of near the food table.

4. First, serve yourself lots of low fat choices, then add some of the high fat items you only want to taste.

5. Make the best choices given the circumstances and what's available.

6. Resist going back for seconds!

7. Unless desired, no one needs to know you are monitoring your portions and trying to make healthier choices. If you are offered extra food you might try saying, "This is delicious, but I just can't eat another bite".

8. Allow yourself one small piece of dessert, if freshfruit is available, you can enjoy a good serving.

9. Enjoy the company as much as you enjoy the feasting.

During the holiday time it may be a smart thing to keep a diary of what you eat. I know its a pain, but for those who are really having a hard time it has proven to make one aware of what he/she eats and has been a great aid in self control.

This is your Dietitian.... wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!

Idamae Hanna M.P.H.,R.D.