Holidays are especially stressful. The extra hassle of being careful about what you eat may get you down or make you feel cut off from others. Use some of the tips below to help you enjoy the holidays.

• Try to plan ahead. If going to a friends house, check your options before you go. You may decide to take side dishes that will fit in your meal plan. For your own party, prepare foods that fit into your meal plan. Try mashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes or spaghetti squash in place of pasta, to cut down on carbohydrates and calories.
• If food options will be limited, consider a snack before attending, so you don't find yourself starved and tempted.
• Try not to skip meals in order to prepare for a large dinner. This tends to end in over-eating later.
• Don't deprive yourself of your favorite foods, but limit portion sizes.
• Give away leftovers that tempt you too much.
• Limit calorie containing beverages, save your calories and carbohydrates for food.
• Say "No, thanks" to seconds. Eat your meal slowly to savor every bite.
• Use smaller dinnerware and start the meal with some raw veggies or another very low calorie food, to start filling you up.
• Don't let one instance of over eating cause you to give up. Get back on track quickly and don't dwell on your past choices.
• Focus on activites other than food and be more active. Try playing games with children/grandchildren, organizing a group to walk and enjoy christmas lights/carolling, or go window shopping. Try holiday themed group games just after the meal, to signify time to stop eating and move to another area. Sometimes this helps keep us from lingering at the table and eating 'extras'
• Continue to check blood sugar levels and take medications at proper times.