How to host the perfect holiday dinner—without gaining weight or losing your mind!

By:  Sofia Segounis, Nutritionist

It’s your turn to host this holiday season. Instead of this being a completely nerve wracking experience, there are some foolproof methods to create a delicious and festive meal for all to enjoy…without packing on the extra pounds!

In the beginning...
What’s the first step? Two words: plan properly. 

Start by making a list of the needed groceries and check it twice. It’s always best to prep ahead of time by chopping vegetables, making the salad dressing, preparing the dessert or setting the table well before your guests arrive. Any little shortcut will help you keep your sanity during the race towards the finish line.   To help with a speedy clean up between courses and at the end of the night, have the dishwasher empty and ready to go. 

If you want to try out a new recipe, don’t use your guests as guinea pigs. Try out a smaller batch of the recipe ahead of time and make sure it is to your liking.

Healthy menu planning
The holiday season need not translate into weight gain. There are healthy options that can be planned out ahead of time to cut out excess calories and fat such as:
 
• Include a variety of tasty vegetable dishes such as baked vegetables; bok choy, green beans and baby carrots; Grinch’s green bean salad; or Tis the season for salad.

• Instead of cooking white potatoes use sweet potatoes—they’re packed with vitamin A and have a sweeter taste.  Try Sweet potato latkes, or mashed sweet potatoes.

• Instead of cooking white rice, use brown rice, your guests will enjoy the hearty nutty flavor.  Other delicious dishes that include whole grains are bulgur and veggies or Millet pilaf.

• Include healthy fats in your meals.  Instead of using butter and margarine, try using olive oil or canola oil.  Include some nuts in the meals, dessert or have a couple of bowls around the room for people to munch on before dinner. 

• Include a fruit platter with your desserts. 

• Instead of cooking a roast or a ham, try turkey or fish.  If you are uneasy about cooking the turkey, click Turkey basics for a surefire way to cook a delicious bird.

Sticking to your diet during the holiday season can be difficult.  However, making healthier choices is easy.  Also, it’s understandable that you’ll want to have a piece of your Aunt Martha’s famous apple pie, so go ahead and indulge.  Following the 80:20 rule of eating allows you to enjoy a few of your favorite holiday treats without gaining weight. For more tips on how to eat healthy this holiday season, visit Yuletide tips for a healthier holiday season.