What’s a festival without food? A lot of planning goes into the culinary aspect of a festival. And since most of the time it is a grand family get together, the menu is a never ending trail filled with sweets and calories. It is better to restrict your intake rather than binge eating and cringing later. Many of the foods prepared during this season are unhealthy if consumed in large quantities; so the trick here is to watch what you eat. You may think it’s a bit challenging but hold on… read the following tips and you’ll be able to meet the challenge head on!
1.  Cook at home
Try to cook at home as much as possible. Eating out might be an easier affair but it is always a good option to know what you add in every dish. When you cook at home, you have the ability to control the amount of every ingredient that goes in. You will literally watch what you eat (and cook).

2. Be picky 
Always pause and take a moment to analyze the menu. Try to balance the spread so that you don’t end up eating unwanted calories. Choose one or two of the most appealing foods and take time in savouring them as you eat. When you focus and relish on what you eat, you tend to eat lesser compared to the amount you eat when you talk to your friends as you fail to track what you’re eating.

3. Don’t save up your hunger
Never control your hunger and tell your mind that you are about to give yourself a treat and so it’s okay to starve. Research has proved that one tends to eat more than usual when in a famished state. Before an event consider snacking on foods that are rich in protein like nuts, boiled eggs, cottage cheese, reduced fat yogurt, etc.

4. Pay special attention to the starters
It is a proven case that your starters primarily decide how much you will end up eating. Most of the starters are so rich that they make you feel full and say no to main course. It is therefore necessary to opt for starters that will help you enjoy a wide variety of foods in the spread in small proportions and you will not feel guilty about not having tasted something. Remember that when the banquet is large, you have to taste and not eat (if you know what we mean!).

5. Fresh by goodness
Choose foods that are fresh and natural. We definitely know that salads are not reserved for festivals but sometimes when you eat salads with the right kind of sauces (in minimal proportions), they can be a rich treat too!

6. Leftovers should be shared

When you host a party, leftovers are inevitable. You really don’t have to think about storing it and eating it for the next few days. Instead buy storage boxes and pack them up for your friends and family so that they can take it when they leave the party. The trick here is to distribute and get over with it.

We know that food and festivals go hand in hand. But with the above tricks you can stick to your healthy eating.
References:

http://www.metronews.ca/life/h ealth/2015/12/22/tips-to-get-y ou-through-festive-mealtimes.h tml

http://www.asteronlife.com.au/ balance/nutrition/christmaseat ing#sthash.VH7lBgiJ.dpbs