Tips for enjoying holiday nourishment without weight gain

Holiday parties are often associated with tempting treats and weight gain. While weight gain does indeed happen if one isn't careful, parties can actually be a healthy way to enjoy fun, nourishing foods.

So, how does one keep it healthy and fun?

Dips like hummus, salsa, and guacamole. For an extra nutritional boost, eat them with vegetable sticks rather than crackers or chips.

If you see a big leafy green salad, enjoy freely. If it's loaded with dressing, enjoy a smaller portion.

Fruit: if fruit dip is present and you desire, go ahead and enjoy a little. Most of the enjoyment is reaped in the first couple of bites, so take a small portion of dip.

Nuts, shrimp, and cheese are all great sources of protein.

Limit sugary drinks by choosing water, unsweetened tea, or coffee. If choosing alcohol, a glass of red wine or beer rather than some sugary mixed drink would be the better choice.

Go easy on carbohydrates in general. Too many breads, chips, crackers, and sugars end up stored on us, just like on Santa--our belly!

Limit anything store bought or overly processed like frozen quiche bites in a pastry crust, potato chips, and desserts. Processed foods tend to have less nutritional value; they mal-nourish rather than nourish.

Here's a sample plate: shrimp, vegetables and dip, fruit and dip, dessert with a few nuts (the food, not people!), and a non-sugary drink. That still says "party food," right?

Happy Holidays!