Christmas is the traditional time for calorie-cramming family gatherings, office parties and drinks with friends.  But with a bit of know-how, you can survive the holiday season and still hang onto something resembling a waistline.

Stick with these Top 10 Tips  to get you through this button-popping season!

1. Before any function or get-together, eat a small healthy snack to balance you blood-sugar levels and curb your hunger before you get to the event.  When we are hungry, we can often loose all sense of sound judgment and start mindlessly hoovering up the buffet table. Try some low-fat cheese, salmon and avocado on a rice cracker.  If you are going out straight after work, plan to have some cut up carrots, nuts or rice crackers on the way to your venue.
2. Serve yourself on a smaller plate. Trick yourself by eat from a small ‘full’ plate.
3. Put all your food on a plate in one go. When picking at individual meals on the buffet table, we can easily forget how much of what we have eaten. Remember to save some room for coffee and fruit!
4. Make your plate colourful. Choose a variety of vegetables, salads, lean meats or seafood.  Have a balanced meal and do not overload on fatty or high carbohydrate food. Step away from anything that is fried or anything that is made with pastry.
5. Help clear the table. Help clean up and clear the table as soon as everyone has finished eating rather than sitting and picking at leftovers.
6. Dessert time. Opt for a tea or coffee for dessert with a plate of a variety of fresh fruits. If your taste buds are still urging for something sweet, have a little of what you love.  Choose a small treat of what you really enjoy and take your time to indulge in it slowly.
7. Share your leftovers. If you are hosting Christmas this year, offer any leftovers to your guests to take away.
8. Be active. Make sure you do some extra activity during this Christmas season, to help compensate for your period of indulgence. Backyard cricket anyone?
9. Keep focused. Always think about how you are going to feel later that evening.  Focus on your health and don’t just eat something because it is in front of you.
10. Go easy on your alcohol intake. For every glass of alcohol you have, also have a glass of water. Water helps to fill you up, and unlike alcohol, it does not have any calories. If you are drinking, make your own mixed drinks with real fruit juice instead of a pre-made canned drink.

Hope these simple strategies help you enjoy your Christmas celebrations guilt-free!