‘Tis the season to…overindulge at cocktail parties? The holidays are a great excuse to celebrate and spend time with family and friends, yet the excessive eating, drinking, and late nights tend to leave us feeling bloated, guilty, and our pants just a wee-bit snugger. Follow my 4 simple steps and I guarantee you’ll change all that. I promise this to be the season you take control of your health, and walk in and out of every party looking and feeling your best.
Step 1: Bring the gift of health!
The key to getting invited back to every party?…show up with a present! This holiday season, offer to bring your host a healthy dish that you and your guests can enjoy guilt-free. Some of my favorites: Hummus and Veggies, Lowfat Pumpkin Cream Cheese, Prosciutto-wrapped Melon, or my Goat Cheese and Almond-layered Apricot Bites (see recipe below)
Step 2: Never arrive hungry!
You spend all day before the party trying to eat as little as possible so that you can indulge at night, right? Wrong! While this may seem like a good idea in theory, you’re setting yourself up for a major diet disaster. Always have a small, healthy snack before heading out (piece of fruit, yogurt and granola, whole wheat toast with peanut butter). Instead of being ravenous and grabbing every appetizer in sight before even removing your jacket, you’ll pick the hors d’oeuvres you really want (and say a proper hello to the rest of the guests at the party!) 😉
Step 3: Have a game plan!
Go into a party with a general idea of how you plan to approach your eating/drinking habits and you’ll be less likely to get off track. Set a drink limit (“I’ll only have 2 drinks tonight”) and then switch to water or club soda. If you’re hungry, fill your plate with lighter snacks (think hummus and veggies), and make only one trip to the buffet table. Allow yourself to splurge on small tastes of those special treats that you only have during the holidays.
Step 4: Enjoy your company!
Instead of spending your night circling the buffet table, try making your rounds around the party to catch up with old friends and meet new faces! Don’t let food be the focus of your night out, spending quality time with friends/family are what the holidays are really all about!
Cheers to that!
Goat Cheese and Almond-layered Apricot Bites
Ingredients:
-1 dried apricot
-1 whole roasted almonds (can be plain, honey roasted or lightly salted)
-pinch of goat cheese
Directions:
-Place dried apricot on plate
-Top with a small pinch of goat cheese
-Place one almond on top of goat cheese
Voila!
Share your favorite party tips!
By Mitzi Dulan with assistance provided by Kristen Carlucci.
Arriving hungry to a party is the worst! Instead of eating healthy foods throughout the day, you end up binging on crackers, cheeses, and other fatty snacks. Good tips.
Explains why I usually feel awful the day after a party. Thanks for these tips:-)