LOSING all the unwanted fat on the road to being fit and healthy is a hard journey and once you’ve attained your goal, why would you want to go back and start over again just because it’s the merry season of parties and merriment?

Here are helpful tips from the experts to help you keep track of that commitment during the holiday season.

Enjoying meals
Start your day right with breakfast. Skipping meals will only make you want to eat more.

Plan your meals ahead of time so you can make them more delicious and nutritious. You need not deprive yourself of your favorite food, you just need to cut portions. There is no good or bad food; just avoid large amounts.

Try new foods so you don’t get bored with the same food.  Vary your favorite recipes to suit your taste. In case you have snack attacks, have a merry mix of low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese, jello, popsicle, popcorn, bite-size crackers, pretzels and sherbet. Avoid keeping junk and fatty foods around the home so you don’t break your resolve.

Drink eight to 10 glasses of water throughout the day.

Cooking tips
To keep the fats low, revise your menu plan so that 2/3 of your plate will be plant-based foods such as whole grain, beans, pasta, noodles, vegetable, fruits, sweet potato and 1/3 with animal-based foods like meal—meat, poultry, fish, eggs and cheese.

Have fun trying different ways of cooking vegetables. Try them raw in salads sprinkled with salsa, herbs, spices, balsamic and raspberry vinegar with olive oil to flavor. You can go unlimited on the veggies and fruits.

Controlling portions
If you’re just starting on the health regimen, take a standard serving out of the package and eat it off a plate instead of straight out of the box or bag.

Avoid eating in front of the TV or while busy with other activities, you don’t notice how much you’ve had.

Eat slowly so your brain can get the message that your stomach is full. If you still want second servings, go for the vegetables and salads instead of higher-fat, higher-calorie dishes such as meat or dessert.

Fat-free or sugar-free foods are not necessarily low in calories.

Shopping
Make a shopping list of what to buy and stick to it. It’s also wise to have a good meal before shopping so you can avoid the buying binge.

Learn how to read nutrition labels on food packages. Less than 5 grams of fat a serving is low fat.

Don’t pass the aisles of your favorite high-calorie snacks. You might succumb into buying them.

Eating out
When you’re eating out or attending a party, there’s no need to deprive yourself of good food. Share your meal, order a half-portion, or make the appetizer your main course then add on either a soup or salad.

Select grilled, baked, steamed or stewed items for the main course.

When traveling, bring along nutritious foods that you will not spoil such as fresh fruit, small cans of fruit, peanut butter and jelly (spread both thinly) sandwiches, whole grain crackers, carrot sticks and air-popped popcorn.