From parties to potlucks, it seems like almost every event attend is planned on a platform of eating... or overeating for most of us. Instead of following our regular eating routine, we save room by skipping meals. Unfortunately, by party time we throw caution to the wind and start scarfing down every morsel we can get our hands on. Suddenly, those creamy dips, fried egg rolls and chips don't seem so sinister. The key is to eat smartly throughout the day. Start off with a balanced breakfast. At lunch, eat light. Before you step out for the evening, enjoy a snack or small salad to quell those cravings. When you're faced with the party spread, make smart choices. Fresh vegetables, fruit, salsa, hummus and a small amount of nuts are all low-calorie options that are fulfilling. Chicken satay and shrimp cocktail also cut the mustard. But beware of those other not-so-diet-friendly finger foods that can easily derail your diet.
Cheese squares, pigs in blankets, coconut shrimp can all add up to a whole lot of empty calories in no time at all. If a full-course meal is being offered, it would be wise to skip the array of appetizers altogether. That's not to say you shouldn't be every bit as cautious when sitting down to an already prepared plate. For starters, ignore the bread and butter. Also go easy on sauces - cream, gravy and cheese which are always major fat and calorie traps. Another good rule of thumb - try to only indulge in the foods you really love. Keep the calorie count down by not overindulging alcoholic beverages that are also high in calories. Alternate between drinks prepared with low-calorie mixers and plain old H2O.