Article courtesy of Payne Financial Group's Live Well, Work Well newsletter, December 2011 issue.

The holidays are full of hearty meals, sweet treats and fat-laden snacks - which quickly add up to extra pounds. Navigate holiday eating with these tips:

• - Enjoy your favorite foods, just be mindful of your portion sizes. Depriving yourself just makes you more likely to binge later.
• - When possible, choose a smaller plate to help control portions.
• - Wait 20 minutes before getting seconds, to give your body time to signal if you are full.
• - Don't feel obligated to eat everything offered to you, or to clean your plate.
• - If you have leftovers, freeze them for another time rather than indulging again for breakfast.
• - Eat plenty of vegetables throughout the season to help you feel fuller and control your appetite.
• - Eat a small, healthy snack before each get-together. If you starve yourself all day, you'll eat even more of the unhealthy food.
• - When going to a party, bring a nutritious dish with you, such as nuts, veggies or even a healthier dessert alternative (such as fresh fruit or a festive fruit-filled crisp).
• - Eat slower and take time to enjoy your food. Try eating with your non-dominant hand or setting your fork down between bites.
• - Go easy on gravy, sauce and dressing.
• - Reduce or eliminate your alcohol intake to save a lot of calories.
• - Focus on the people and activities at the party, rather than the food.
• - When baking, use low- or non-fat dairy. Swap sour cream for plain yogurt, for example, and always choose fat-free milk.
• - Buy lean cuts of meat whenever possible. When eating poultry, opt for white meat over dark meat.
• - Don't forget to be active! Try to fit some extra activity in to counteract the extra calories this time of year.