Eat, Drink and Be Merry

CEBU, Philippines – Holiday dinners, drinks and parties don't have to mean extra pounds. These fool-your-appetite tricks and morale-boosters will help keep your weight steady no matter what time of year it is.

Party-goer's dos and don'ts

. Don't skip meals the day of a party; going hungry will only make you more susceptible to temptation. Instead, eat a healthy lunch, one that contains a lean source of protein such as poultry or fish plus some complex carbohydrates and have a small bowl of soup with a salad before going to out.

. Make your first drink a glass of club soda or mineral water. Sip this while you scout around and see the kinds of food available.

. Find someone interesting to talk to and stay far from the food buffet.

. Don't give in to sabotage. Have some ready excuses on hand for the hosts who push drinks or press you to "try this." Some good ones are: "Sorry, doctor's orders," "Thanks, but everything was so delicious I'm stuffed already," "I'm driving."

. Don't eat salty foods; they'll only make you thirsty and encourage more drinking.

. Leave early. If you thank your hosts profusely and tell them you have an early morning appointment, they'll understand, and you'll remove yourself from the site of temptation another option is to arrive fashionably late.

. Fill up in crudités first, then head for the more fattening foods - but go easy on these.

Cocktail hour

. Steer away from drinks made with fruit juices and milk bases. These increases the calories count considerably.

. Rule of thumb for alcoholic beverages: The "proof" determines the calories; 80 proof vodka instead of 100 proof, for example, saves you about 25 calories per ½ oz.

. Sip your cocktail from a large glass filled with ice. There will be less room for liquid.

. Opt for lower calorie dry wines over sweet ones. Champagne is a good choice.

Dinner out

. Ask the waiter not to put butter on the table.

. In place of dinner rolls, request crackers or breadsticks.

. Start the meal with a salad, clear soup or tomato juice. Avoid creamed soups or heavily sauced pasta appetizers.

. Order salads without the dressing or with the dressing on the side.

. Substitute a squeeze of fresh lemon or vinegar and fresh pepper for the usual dressing.

. Ask for steamed vegetables and a baked potato with no butter.

. Order broiled meat and fish. Ask how gravies and sauces are prepared. If they're made with butter or cream, request that they be served separately.

How to cope with holiday dinners

. Decide in advance to be satisfied with small portions. Have your favorites - you'll feel deprived if you don't - but remember that the fifth bite of pumpkin pie (or the second helping of stuffing, or the fourth glass of wine) doesn't taste any different from the first.

. Eat an apple 10 minutes before dining. This way your brain will get a head start on registering satisfaction - it takes 20 minutes for your stomach to signal your brain that you're full - and you won't be as likely to overeat.

. Cut food into small pieces and chew each mouthful five times.

. Always put down your knife and fork between bites.

. Talk up a storm. This will slow down your eating and give you time to feel full.

. Don't save the best for last; that always leads to overdoing it.

. Eat a big salad; the fiber will fill you up quickly.

. Tighten your belt before you dig in. the discomfort is a great "stop" signal.

-from Hints, Tips & Smart Advice By FamilyCircle