Here’s to Everyone’s Health for Holiday Parties and Family Gatherings alike

Enjoying the season not only means inviting friends and family over, but also ensuring that everyone feels good about themselves and stays healthy when they drop by to celebrate. So whether you’re the host or a lucky guest, here are some guilt-free tips to enjoy the festivities – sure to keep everyone smiling!

Keeping your guests happy…and healthy!

• Set the tone with a ‘Homemade Swap or Not to Swap’ gift exchange. Everybody brings a WRAPPED small homemade gift (like a handmade recipe box)! With all the wrapped gifts piled up at the head of the table, the host lets the first person choose a present. That person opens it and must keep it. The second person then selects a gift which they can open or try to swap the unopened gift with the first person. This goes on down the table, with everyone either choosing a new one, or trying to convince someone else to trade. A special way to share with your friends!

• Plan a game where everyone gets up and participates. A popular game, such as Charades can be adapted for the season as ‘Holiday Charades’. You have to act out a person, place or thing relating to the Season! Small gifts could be given out so that everybody wins.

• Make room for a dance floor – shaking, rattling and rolling is a great way to burn off those inevitable extra calories that tend to add up fast this time of the year.

• Kids love to perform, so help them organize a holiday sing-song or short play to act out for the adults. If there’s plenty of snow around outside, both kids & adults love the challenge of making their own Christmas Snowman…or simply a good old-fashioned snowball battle gets everyone worked up - in a good way of course!

• With lots of running around and enjoyable activities to pursue, it’s important that everyone stays well hydrated, so keep plenty of bottles of water on hand.

Sample a little of each - enjoy heaps of everything

• Instead of splurging or overindulging, sample a small portion of all the foods you’d like to try but stick to a smart eating plan by choosing more vegetables, fresh fruit and low-cal dressings and taking smaller servings of lean meats.

• Offer healthy appetizers when planning a party – substitute chips for healthier savoury snack options like Crispy Baguettes or Breton Minis.



• Low calorie desserts are particularly appreciated during the festive season – try Simple Pleasures cookies dalloped with yogurt & berries or with low-calorie ice cream.

• Read Nutritional Labels and choose more products that are better for you, your family and your friends. Look for revealing words on the label like ‘no trans fat’, ‘low in saturated fat’ and ‘a source of essential nutrients like fibre and iron’.



• Try to avoid or limit alcohol – too many drinks can set your celebratory gathering on the wrong course. Plus excess alcohol means excess calories, the last thing you need, especially when there is so much to enjoy at a Christmas feast!