The Skinny on Holiday Party Food

Holiday parties mean a lot of high-calorie temptations, but those temptations don’t have to translate into unwanted pounds. Test your knowledge of healthy holiday eating below:

TRUE or FALSE: You should eat almost nothing the day of the party so you can enjoy the food when you get there. 
False. By not eating, your blood sugar may be so low that your appetite could get out of control. Eat small, healthy meals throughout the day and have a snack before you arrive if you’re hungry. 

TRUE or FALSE: When you arrive at the party, you should totally avoid the food table.
False. It’s unreasonable to think that you’ll avoid every high-calorie, high-fat food, or not eat anything at all, so check out everything that’s offered and plan which foods you’ll choose.

TRUE or FALSE: Healthy eating means no dessert. 
False. Fresh fruit is a great choice for dessert, and pumpkin and sweet potato pies are generally lower in fat and calories than chocolates or cheesecake.

Sharing food is an important part of many holiday traditions. Make good choices and you can take part – without packing on the pounds. 

Source: American Cancer Society Because We Care, November 2006