ATLANTA, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Those who attend holiday parties and don't want to face extra pounds in the new year should eat a snack before going to a party, U.S. health officials suggest.
"If you're heading out to a party -- holiday, birthday or any sort -- eat a light, healthy snack before you go," health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say in a statement. "Broth-based soups, cereal with skim milk, or just plain fruit are all good options. This will help curb your hunger and decrease your visits to the buffet table."
The CDC suggests partygoers bring a low-fat, holiday dish to a party so everyone has a low-fat alternative to fatty holiday dishes.
"Modify recipes to reduce the amount of fat and calories. For example, when making lasagna, use part-skim ricotta cheese instead of whole-milk ricotta cheese," the CDC recommends. "Substitute shredded vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini and spinach, for some of the ground meat in lasagna."
For those tired of the leftover turkey sandwich, try the leftover turkey salad. Add a few pieces of turkey to a generous portion of mixed greens, tomatoes, raw broccoli, carrots, or any vegetables and toss with a light salad dressing and some dried cranberries for an authentic holiday taste, the CDC suggests.
