“Healthiness” isn’t a black-or-white, all-or-nothing scenario. You can still eat healthily during the holiday season – without avoiding networking events and parties.

Tip #1: Avoid attending events when you’re ravenous

Grab a piece of fruit, a few crackers or even just a glass of water before you leave the house. It doesn’t look good when you go to an event and gorge – and it’s not great for your health either.

Tip #2: Use a small plate at buffets

If you’re at a buffet or similar, place the food on the smallest plate you can: you’ll have a satisfyingly “full” plate. Try to make half the plate healthier choices – like vegetables, fruits, even nuts.

Tip #3: Try eating a small piece of dessert first.

If there’s something chocolate (especially dark chocolate) or similar that you fancy, go for that. The fat in the chocolate helps to give you a feeling of satiation and satisfaction.

Tip #4: Eat more slowly than usual

Give your food time to digest: it takes twenty minutes for your brain to register that your stomach is full.

If you’re currently overweight, unfit, or unhealthy, you may need to make big, radical changes in your lifestyle in order to achieve healthiness. Sadly, it’s not easy to change. “Change or Die” in Fast Company magazine found that the odds were nine to one against change – for people who had a serious, life-threatening condition.

In order to succeed, you need to:

• Get as much social support as you can: from friends, colleagues, family, personal trainers and so on. Ask them to hold you accountable.
• Build in structural support – remove unhealthy foods containing trans fats and high-fructose corn syrup from your home. Stock up on fruits and vegetables.

Don’t wait until the New Year to start eating more healthily: you can begin now.

Think about an upcoming holiday event that involves food – perhaps a family meal or a work buffet. Which tips will you implement in order to ensure that you make healthy choices?