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Have a healthy holiday season without feeling like the Grinch Date published: 11/27/2005 By JENNIFER MOTL IT'S THE MOST wonderful time of the year for delicious food. But it's not so wonderful if you're one of the many Americans concerned about weight, cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. We all indulge once in a while, but the stretch from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day can be loaded with daily temptations at parties, work, school and even stores offering free samples Talking over your concerns, bringing delicious alternatives to holiday gatherings, planning your feast strategies and finding creative ways to be active can help you feel energetic and healthy throughout the season. Tell your friendsIf you have special concerns, tell friends or relatives in advance. Offer to bring a healthy dish to a party or let them know if you turn away some food that it's because of health concerns, nothing personal. "I'm trying to control my blood pressure," you might say. "Would you mind if I bring a low-sodium dish to dinner?" Everyone else can use the salt shaker at the table, so you're not interfering with their meal or asking the host to revamp the entire menu for you. You can bring a variety of festive foods. Most supermarkets carry colorful vegetable platters with baby carrots, red pepper strips, broccoli florets and celery sticks, and you can buy hummus or salsa to dip them in. Nuts in the shell are another tasty option, as long as you remember to bring nutcrackers. Most people also appreciate a festive fruit salad. You can slice juicy, fresh yellow pineapple into Savory homemade soups are another popular item. Bring a slow cooker filled with something pretty and delicious, like the rich, velvety recipe for creamy gingered carrot soup with wild rice Many people fall into a trap of depriving themselves before a party, then bingeing on holiday foods. This is followed by a day of starving themselves, or vowing to diet in the New Year.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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