Hosting a holiday gathering is a lot of work, but on the positive side, you have more control of the menu. Keep the basics of a healthy diet in mind by planning the menu around lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid frying foods. Save the majority of recipe sampling for mealtime. Sampling food during cooking can be tempting but may contribute to extra carbohydrate intake that can affect blood glucose. After the meal is finished, promptly put food away to keep yourself and guest from grazing. 

If you are a guest rather than the host these tips can help prevent overindulgence.  

1. Take a healthy dish to the gathering to assure you have a healthy option to enjoy. 

2. Don’t allow yourself to become overly hungry. It may be wise to have a small snack prior to leaving home if the holiday mealtime is in question. 

3. Glance at all the meal options and decide which foods you prefer. Enjoy a small serving of foods unique to the holiday, rather than filling up on everyday foods. Slow down and savor your favorite holiday recipes. 

4. Fill up on non-starchy vegetables and other low carb foods first. 

5. Enjoy socializing rather than sitting around the buffet table where you may be tempted to keep eating. 

6. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Your health care provider can let you know whether alcohol is safe for you. Alcohol can lower your inhibition, and a best-laid plan for healthy eating may be a lost cause after a few drinks. Alcohol can also interact with some medications and cause delayed hypoglycemia. 

7. Remember, moderate alcohol intake is one alcoholic drink per day for women and two for men. One alcoholic beverage serving size is: 

• 12 ounces beer 
• 5 ounces of beer 
• 1 ½ ounce of distilled spirits