Christmas party season is well and truly in full swing and of course that means lots of delicious food and perhaps a little (or a lot) more alcohol than we normally consume. 

This is a time for enjoying all the season has to offer, but sometimes it can get a little hectic and healthy eating may be the last thing on your mind, so to help you make this a happy, healthy holiday season, here are a few ideas to help you enjoy the party without trashing your nutrition.

Stay hydrated

• Remember to drink water. It’s easy to forget when you are busy with Christmas shopping, partying and wrapping presents. Make it seasonal by adding some pomegranate, ginger and lemon slices or some fresh, zesty orange. 
• If you are drinking alcohol, then alternate with water to keep hydrated and reduce the morning-after side effects.

Don’t skip meals

• If you are heading out for your office party, don't skip meals earlier in the day. 
• Keep your mealtimes regular to help keep sugar cravings in check and maintain your energy levels. Eat lighter meals that won’t overload your digestive system.

Balance your plate

• A buffet meal can give you lots of options, so hopefully you will find something healthy there. Choose your protein base first (fish, meat, houmous, prawns, cheese), then select some vegetables. This could be raw veg sticks or some salad. 
• Leave a space on your plate for a little portion of carbohydrate, but don’t overload with bread, crisps and sausage rolls if you want to avoid feeling bloated.

Keep it real

• Eat more veg than fruit and make the most of what the season has to offer. 
• Oranges, fresh figs and pomegranate are in season and low sugar, while Brussels sprouts, root veg and kale are packed with stress-busting magnesium.
• Ditch the low fat foods, which tend to be laden with sugar and choose full-fat yoghurt, a bit of cream (unsweetened), and full-fat milk. Research now shows that full-fat dairy products containing a type of fat called CLA are better for fat-burning and regulating our appetite than the low fat versions.

Keep moving 

• Regular exercise is essential for your mind, body and soul, so hot step it onto the dance floor, or have a kitchen disco with the best of those cheesy Christmas tunes.

Host with the most

If you are hosting friends for drinks and nibbbles, stock up on healthy snacks like olives, vegetable crudités with houmous, guacamole or tzatziki, flavoured nuts and seeds. Try making your own kale crisps simply by roasting kale in a hot oven for 10 minutes before seasoning with sea salt and black pepper. 

Here are some more  ideas for healthy festive snacks to enjoy: 

• Raw veg sticks with dips (houmous, tzatziki and salsa are good choices)
• Vegetable crisps are a healthier choice than crisps
• Fill mini cos salad leaves with prawns and a tomato based sauce. Serve with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of paprika
• Go retro with melon wedges. Lovely with a little sprinkle of ginger
• Olives make a nutritious and delicious nibble
• A selection of nuts like brazil nuts, almonds, hazelnuts and pecans
• Oatcakes topped with smoked salmon, cream cheese and parsley
• Pop some grapes and little cubes of cheese like mature cheddar or brie onto cocktail sticks for a tasty bite
• Satsuma segments dipped in 70% cocoa chocolate make a not so naughty, but very nice sweet treat