Eating healthily over Christmas is one thing when you’re in the comfort of your own home but everything changes when you get a party invite. It’s so easy to overindulge when music and conversation distract you. Here are some tips to help you eat healthily at parties.

1) Read your napkin. If hors d’oeuvres are circulating, use a fresh cocktail napkin for each one. Before you reach for seconds, check your napkin for grease spots. If the paper’s soaked through or the spot is huge, make a different selection next time. 
 

2) Switch hands. A sneaky but surprisingly effective trick: Hold your drink in your right hand if you’re a righty, or vice versa. It will make grabbing food a bit more difficult – so you’ll eat less. 

 
3) Cross-examine. As friends pass you what they’ve prepared, exclaim, “That looks terrific! What’s it made with?” (Ask the same of the hostess at other parties.) You’re likely to get valuable information that’ll help you decide how deeply you want to dig in to a dish. If you’re at a buffet table inspect the food you pick up before you eat it. For example, go for food that doesn’t contain pastry and doesn’t shine (suggesting it’s covered in oil), 
 

4) Dance the night away. It’s gotta be the happiest way to burn off calories! With party disco dancing you will burning off abut 350 calories per hour (based on a 10 stone person.  Keep the fun coming and you may forget all about christmas pudding. 
 
5) Avoid wasting calories on alcoholic beverages. The average alcoholic drink contains 150-200 calories per glass. Indulge in just 2-3 drinks and you’ve drunk the equivalent calories of an entire meal. If you have these drinks, choose wisely. For example, instead of having a full glass of wine, try mixing half a glass of wine with sparkling water. This will help cut your calories in half. Another great way to cut back on the drinking is putting your drink down in between sips so you won’t be tempted to keep swigging without realising

 

6) Don’t linger at the buffet or in the kitchen. If you loiter in close proximity to all the guilty temptations, you’ll struggle to keep from unconsciously shovelling food into your mouth. Focus on socialising Remember one of the great things about the holidays is spending time with friends and family. During get-togethers spend the majority of time sharing conversation instead of sharing desserts. 
 

7) The key to resisting unhealthy foods and to a successful healthy eating Xmas is to eat little amounts often. This is because the hungrier you feel, the more likely your resolve will weaken – hunger makes you think more about food. Fill yourself up with plenty of healthy snacks every few hours. Drink lots of water to fill your stomach up, add a slice of lime and lots of ice. Herbal tea is also an excellent alternative to cappuccinos and lattes that are packed with calories.
 
8) Wear something snug and well fitted so you look great and feel good. Wearing well fitted clothes is a great way to remind yourself not to overindulge and stay on track with the healthy eating. So put on your little black dress or tight fitting jeans and start dreaming of a light Christmas.

 

If you’re eating in a restaurant or café, or ordering a takeaway, you can still eat less salt by making some smart choices.

• When you order a pizza, choose vegetable toppings instead of pepperoni, bacon, or extra cheese.
• At the sandwich bar, go for fillings such as hummous or poached salmon, instead of ham or cheese and pickle, which are usually higher in salt.
• If you’re having a Chinese or Indian meal, go for plain rice because this is lower in salt than egg-fried rice or pilau rice.
• Try not to have salty chips or crisps.
• When you have a salad, ask for the dressing on the side, so you only have as much as you need. Some dressings can be high in salt.

Airports can be stressful and boring places crowded with temptation and fast food places but don’t scrap your diet because of it. The following airport tips may help:

Scope out your dining options. Progress is slow but there are a lot more than there used to be, with more healthy choices. Skip the fast food and pizza joints and look for eateries that serve fruit, soup, sushi, and sandwiches or wraps.

Eat because you’re hungry, not because you’re stressed, bored, or trying to kill time. If you’re anxious or have time to spare, take a walk. Airports usually have plenty of room for a brisk jaunt.

Come Prepared. Bring your own food to the airport, there is always going to be a wait. You don’t have to pack a picnic. A whole-wheat bagel or crackers, a piece of fruit, granola bar, juice box, or cut-up organic cheese and vegetables can save you from feeling starved.

If you find your only option at the airport is fast food, check out different menus. Some fast food places have healthier food than others. You can find soup, salads, baked potatoes, and yogurt with fruit and granola. Fast food doesn’t have to mean you’re stuck with greasy burgers, fries, and fizzy drinks. You might find “light” options on some menus, too.

Travel light. It is important to know that while travelling, you should eat light, drink plenty of water and skip alcohol and caffeine. If your flight includes a meal, request a special diet when you make your reservation. You might be able to choose a low-salt or low-fat option, or a diet or vegetarian plate. And when the beverage cart rolls your way, ask for water or juice instead of alcohol or fizzy drinks. You’ll feel better when you land.