Party Time - 5 Tips to Staying on Your Diet at Social Gatherings

Who doesn't love a party? I'll be the first one to admit, I love a party and everything that goes with it. Socializing with friends over great food and drinks is my idea of a perfect evening. The only problem is that parties tend to contribute to overeating, overdrinking and overindulging in general. For those trying to lose weight and those trying to maintain, too many parties can be bad news for the healthy regimen. Here are some tips on how to approach social functions while still remaining in control of your daily calorie count.

1. Eat Before You Go. This tip is one of the easiest ways to stay out of trouble when it comes to party food and your waistline. Party food tends to be yummy to the taste buds but doesn't bode well for your figure. You can forego the unhealthy apps and only have a glass of wine or two - provided your daily calorie count allows for it. Another idea is to eat the bulk of your calories from a healthy at home meal. Once you get to the party, snack on veggies or only have a small piece of dessert. This will allow you to join in on the festivities without getting out of control.

2. Start With Protein. Instead of reaching for the chips and dip, go for good sources of protein to start with. Try any appetizers such as smoked salmon, chicken satays, seared ahi tuna and even cheeses before you go for the carbs. Starting with protein will help to delay the chemical reaction that occurs in the body when we start with carbohydrates. This reaction leads to most people wanting more food and more carbohydrates and leads to uncontrollable eating.

3. Alte
ate Your Drinks. Alte
ating alcoholic beverages with water can help lower the amount of caloric beverages you take in. Consuming liquid calories is one of the easiest ways to add calories without realizing it. Generally, we don't feel full after drinking approximately 300 calories yet we would feel as if we ate 300 calories should those calories have come from food we had to chew. Stick to lower calorie alcoholic beverages such as wine and light beers and make sure to sip slowly and alte
ate with good old h2o. This rule would apply to non-alcoholic drinks that have calories such as punch, soda and juices as well.

4. Use Smaller Plates. Keeping portions under control with food can be easily achieved by using smaller dinnerware. Pick smaller plates for food and cut the amount you eat by almost half. Trick your eyes by picking up a small, appetizer size plate and loading it up with healthy food. You'll feel like you're getting a lot by loading the plate up which can make you happy mentally. Don't forget to eat slowly. This will help your brain recognize how much food you are taking in and let you know when you are full. Slow eating off of your small plate will also make you feel like you're eating more than you think.

5. Pick a Smaller Glass. When indulging in alcoholic beverages or caloric beverages, pick a smaller glass to drink out of. Big bulb wine glasses are gorgeous but we tend to want to fill them up turning a 6 ounce glass of wine into a 12 ounce glass of wine and doubling the calories. Use a smaller glass for wine, cocktails or punch and fill it up. Both your taste buds and your mind will be satiated. Remember to sip slowly so you can enjoy your drink as well as make it last a little longer.