Completely depriving yourself of treats – especially during the holidays – is a recipe for weight-control disaster. Would you sit a child in front of a huge pile of candy only to tell her she couldn’t have any of it, not a single piece, and expect her to respond positively? Being around delicious foods and denying yourself any indulgence is not just unrealistic, it’s agonizing.

During the holiday season, aim to eat healthy food and stay within your calorie and fat goals approximately 80-90 percent of the time. The rest of the time, don't worry about what you should or should not eat. Enjoy a treat or two!

It’s lunchtime. Louise has just finished a delicious grilled vegetable sandwich, a bottle of sparkling mineral water, an apricot yogurt and a fresh fruit salad. She also had eggs on whole-grain toast for breakfast. Thelma had a cup of black coffee for breakfast, and an apple for lunch. Which one is more likely to snack on holiday treats this afternoon?

Hunger makes you weak, in more ways than one. If you’re hungry, you lose your ability to make good choices. Your body and mind are on a mission to eat whatever is available, and with all those holiday treats around, resisting is just that much harder. And weight gain is that much easier.

 “Don't go hungry” means eat regular meals and two planned snacks each day so that you don't get hungry. In order to reduce cravings, binges, and general overeating throughout the holidays, eat enough so that you don't get hungry.