6 Party Tips to Help you Avoid Paying on the Scale
1. Eat well during the day
Skipping meals during the day to save up for a party is a bad idea. You will get over hungry and over eat. Eat a good breakfast and lunch, and then go on to tip number two below!
2. Eat a healthy meal before you go to the party
Eating a healthy meal (low fat, high fiber), like a baked potato with vegetarian chili and a salad, before going to a party is insurance that you won't end up eating too much of the wrong thing. You will be in better control when you see all those
tempting appetizers and desserts! See our party makeover below.
3. Limit or avoid alcohol
Alcohol is a double-edged sword if you are trying to watch your weight. It is high in calories and it affects your judgment on choosing foods that are lower in calories. If you have more than one party to attend, this can spell disaster for
a weight loss agenda.
One way to avoid drinking at a party is to be the designated driver. If you must drink, have one drink then switch to soda with lime for the rest of the evening.
Here is a list of common beverages and the calories they contain.
| Beverage |
Serving |
Calories |
| Sparkling water with lime |
8 oz |
0 |
| Diet soda |
8 oz |
1 |
| Nonalcoholic wine |
4 oz |
8 |
| Nonalcoholic beer |
12 oz |
32 |
| Wine |
4 oz |
80 |
| Champagne |
4 oz |
84 |
| Cocktail |
2.5 oz |
133 |
| Beer |
12 oz |
146 |
| Soda |
8 oz |
157 |
4. Bring a dish
Offer to bring a dish to the party. Make it a large tossed salad or a low-cal appetizer. This way you will have one healthy dish you can eat while you are there.
5. Fill up on salad first
Fill up a large dinner plate with salad or raw veggies before you go through the rest of the buffet. This way you will fill up on fewer calories. On the next trip to the buffet, use a smaller plate and fill it with a few lean options. Enjoy a few of
your favorite items but keep portions small.
6. Focus on conversation
Make an effort to meet new friends and circulate with those you know instead of eyeing the food.
|
Scenario One:
Arrive at the party hungry, choose to drink alcohol.
|
| Beverage/Food |
Calories |
| 1 glass of wine |
80 |
| 1 beer |
146 |
| 2 Tbsp dip |
50 |
| 1 buffalo chicken wing |
200 |
| 1 crab puff |
42 |
| 1 spring roll |
104 |
| 1 mini quiche |
220 |
| Total for 1 holiday party |
1642 |
| |
|
|
Scenario Two:
Eat healthy pasta dinner before party, no alcohol.
|
| Beverage/Food |
Calories |
| Dinner: |
450 |
| Beverages: water with lime |
0 |
| No Appetizers: |
0 |
| Entree (salad): |
125 |
| Dessert (1 small piece of pie) |
300 |
| Total for 1 holiday party |
875 |
Save 767 calories at just one party!
