Let’s face it- it’s the month for celebrations and we all are tempted to overindulge, and most likely will. People we care about put a lot of time and effort into creating appetizing entrees and devilishly good desserts, and we want to appreciate their efforts by eating what they prepare. However, some times that’s not all that good for us and we can wind up bloated with indigestion, or exhausted with a post-indulgence “sugar coma”. Before heading out to that next holiday party, here are 5 tips to help you win the holiday buffet battle:

1. Have a snack before you leave the house, like a handful of raw nuts, such as almonds or cashews. This way you aren’t starving when you arrive at the party and all those good smells coming out of the kitchen encourage you to eat all the cookies on the platter.
2. Reach for the fresh veggies that most people offer as an appetizer. If you are hosting, buy organic vegetables and choose a healthy dip to serve them with, like hummus or a low-fat yogurt based dip.
3. Choose complex carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, or whole grain crackers over white ones. Complex carbs have more fiber and help us feel fuller faster than refined ones.
4. Have an 8 ounce glass of water in between every alcoholic or caffeinated beverage you consume. This will prevent against dehydration and potentially save you from drinking too much booze or coffee that depletes energy in the long run.
5. Add as much color to your plate as possible. I’m not talking about choosing the cookies with the colored sprinkles! I’m talking about vegetables!

This way, when the cookie platter and other desserts appear on the table, you won’t be so tempted to overindulge.