The holidays are about spending time with those closest to you. However, it’s easy to over-indulge throughout the end of the year with all the holiday parties, dinners and potlucks. Paradise MedSpa wants to help you avoid falling into the weight-gain traps this month with these smart tips.

1. Curb your hunger
Don’t go to a holiday event hungry. Have a healthy snack before leaving. A handful of nuts, granola or fruit are great options. By eating a snack before arriving, you’ll avoid over-eating high-calorie foods served at the party.

2. Don’t mix alcohol and dessert
Alcohol and desserts are both empty calories, full of sugar. Pick one or the other to enjoy. It’s easy to forget that alcohol is high in calories. Remember, the average glass of wine has nearly 200 calories! If everyone else has a drink in their hand, try club soda with lime, it will give you a glass to carry around like everybody else.

When choosing desserts, be sure and pick ones that you really want to indulge in. Be picky! Store bought treats, available year round, should be skipped, since they aren’t anything special. Save your calories for seasonal, made-from-scratch desserts.

3. Avoid eating leftovers
It’s okay to indulge in delicious treats once, but avoid eating the leftovers. Encourage others to take extra food home. If you can’t give them away, throw them away. The longer it lingers in the fridge, the temptation to eat the extra calories will increase. Remember: out of sight, out of mind.

4. Offer to bring a dish
When going to a holiday party, offer to bring a dish. This way you’ll have at least one healthy option to choose from. Hummus and veggies, nuts, or fruit salad are popular dishes that everyone will enjoy while helping to keep you from over-indulging. Your host will appreciate the extra help, too.

We wish you all the very best holiday season. Need more help fighting off those holiday pounds? Book SmartLipo or a VASER procedure for two or more body areas and save $1000 when you book before December 31st.