The Cocktail Party

The holidays are here and that means food and often lots of it. If you've been reading my columns, you'll know that I agree that these are times to splurge. That said, one of the places to be careful is at the Christmas Party. It's one thing to be excessive when you know exactly what you're eating, but when someone else is doing the cooking you can pack in the calories in a hurry. On top of that, a lot of us go to parties instead of dinner and we go hungry.

Eat

...before you go. Have an apple, or a handful of nuts. Studies have shown that when we "pre-eat" before meals we eat a lot less food. Not going hungry to that holiday party is key.

Eat on a plate. It's really important to not walk around and nibble endlessly. Get a plate, put your food on it, and eat from the plate. You'll know how much you have taken and are a lot less likely to get more food than you want or need. Get a small plate and fill it no more than twice.

So... what to put on that plate? If there are roasted meats, they'll be a great choice. These are usually lean and really tasty. Shrimp cocktail is a good choice for the same reason. Take all the veggies that you want -- they're fantastic for you and will help fill you up on great tasting food. There's always some dip to go with them. Put a couple of spoons on your plate and dip from there.

Nuts are always a fine choice as a snack and this is really true at the cocktail party. They are filling, good for you and taste great.

The nice thing about many parties is that the desserts have been laid out in bite sizes. If there are desserts, take a small piece and enjoy it. This is another good place to use a plate. Make one trip to the dessert table, put a few bites on your plate and enjoy! (Then stop.)

Don't Eat

There are a lot of simple ways to avoid packing on the extra calories. Keep in mind that this means there are just as many ways to get extra calories.

Don't put anything on your plate that's been fried.

Steer clear of savory pastries -- just one of those pigs in a blanket can be up to 150 calories and that's in a single bite or two. You can eat a plate full of shrimp and not get as many calories. Those little mini-quiches and other pastries are just as chock full of fat and calories.

I always talk about nuts because I know that they're so good for you, while all those crackers, chips and pretzels are empty calories. Try to keep away from the junk food and stick to real food like nuts. One note of caution, however; don't eat the sugared nuts that are so popular at the holidays.

If there are more "heavy" hors d'ouvres it can be an OK substitute for dinner, but choose those items in the Eat section above. There will often be chafing dishes filled with foods that are heavily sauced. Simply put the lid back and move on.

Drink - Don't Drink

For a lot of folks alcohol is part of the party -- especially at the holidays. Drink, sure, but don't drink on an empty stomach. Have a plate of veggies with some dip first and then get a glass of wine.

If you like egg nog, do be careful. Most egg nog recipes have tons and tons of calories. A cup can have as much as 400 calories, so it's best to have just a few sips to enjoy the flavor - then go back to your wine.

Eat well, eat healthy, enjoy life!

Timothy S. Harlan, M.D.
Dr. Gourmet