Did you know that a traditional Holiday dinner with all of your favorite side dishes such as mashed potatoes and gravy and a slice of pie for dessert has about 2,185 calories and over 80 grams of fat? It's true. So what can you do to avoid the high calorie, high fat favorites? Follow our fit foods rules and see how easy it is.

1. Don't starve yourself all day to "save calories" for dinner.

Stay on your nutrition plan all day as if it were any other day. Have a balanced breakfast and drink plenty of water though out the day. If you start your day off right and make healthy food choices you will be most likely to stay on track, even through a large holiday feast. Have veggies, salads and fruit. Fill up on these so you wont have so much of the high calorie foods. Have plenty of protein to keep you feeling satisfied too. Since you won't be starving, you'll be able to eat what you need to enjoy yourself and have fun without all of the discomfort that comes from over eating.

2. Bring something to Dinner that you prepared.

Whether it is an appetizer, side dish, entree or dessert, bring something to your holiday dinner. The host will appreciate your thoughtfulness and other guests can enjoy your culinary talents. You on the other hand, can control what you put into your body because you know your recipe is low fat or low calorie. If it is you that is preparing the holiday meal, make substitutions in your recipes. Use egg whites if the recipe calls for whole eggs, use Splenda or organic agave nectar instead of sugar in your dessert recipes, use skim milk or unsweetened soy milk if recipes call for whole milk and make lots of vegetable side dishes and serve vegetables as entrees.

3. Remember Portion Control.

Remember to eat regular portions and not super size your portions. If you are going to try everything, go ahead, just make your portions smaller. If there is something you just loved and want more of have another half portion or mini portion. You'll feel better when you're not over stuffed too!

4. Say no to leftovers

Eat what you'd like in moderation at your holiday gatherings and leave the food there. Don't take it home. If it's accessible, you'll grab it and put it in your mouth. If it's not in your refrigerator, you wont eat it. It's that easy.

5. Be Flexible

You can't control how everything is cooked and you can't stress out about what to eat or not eat at a holiday dinner. Just relax and remember that these special meals only happen once a year. Eat what you'd like in moderation and then go home and eat clean again tomorrow. Drink extra water and get some exercise. Don't be too hard on yourself if you had something you normally would not eat. Remind yourself its a special treat and enjoy every bite. Happy Holidays!

Dec 14, 2007