Going to parties can be a lot of fun, whether they’re to celebrate birthdays, holidays, or any other event. It’s a great time to catch up with family, socialize with friends, and make new acquaintances. Parties also involve an abundant spread of delicious Party foods like lechon, pancit, and various desserts that you might feel tempted to eat a lot of. Similarly, you may find yourself joining the merriment and drinking some alcoholic beverages too.

While occasionally consuming your favorite party foods and cocktails is fine, overindulging in them may not be good for your health. What’s more, if you have plenty of events lined up, this kind of party habit may lead to developing indigestion, constipation, or a nasty hangover the next day.

If you want to enjoy the celebrations while staying Healthy, here are seven reminders to take note of:

Have a Healthy Snack Before The Party

Attending a party with an empty stomach can lead to overeating. So before you head to an event, have some healthy snacks like nuts, fruits, crackers, or string cheese. These have lower calories and can help make you feel full so you can curb your appetite. Also, it’s a good idea to eat a filling and sugar-stabilizing breakfast like porridge the morning of the party.  Starting your day with a generous and healthy meal can also help control your appetite later in the day.  

Use a Smaller Plate

When you use a bigger plate, you also tend to get bigger servings. As such, opting for a smaller plate when you’re at a party is a wise idea. You won’t be able to put as much food on it so you won’t consume a lot. Additionally, make only a single trip to the buffet table or stick to a single serving of food so you don’t overindulge.

Be Selective with What You Eat

While eating from a smaller plate can keep you from overeating, you also need to be mindful of what you put on your plate. Simply put, be picky with your food at a party. Choose foods that are filling and prepared healthily, such as grilled meat instead of fried ones.

Also, make sure you have a well-balanced meal while at a party. If, for example, you want to eat some lechon, don’t drench it with the high-fat sauce. Instead, complement it with a side salad or have fresh fruits for dessert. If you’re going to eat pancit, it’s better to hold off on the rice and other foods that are high in carbs like kakanin or pastries.

Take Your Time to Eat

Another way you can stay healthy at parties is by taking time to eat your meal. When you eat too quickly, it delays the signal to your brain informing you that you’re full. Often, this leads to overeating. So, make sure to pause every once in a while when you’re eating. A good practice is to put down your spoon and fork every two bites or so. You can also talk to your dinner tablemates between bites to slow yourself down. Do this and you may find yourself feeling fuller earlier.

Stay Hydrated

Even before you go to the party, stay hydrated so you feel energized at the event. While at the party, regularly drink water in between eating food and drinking alcoholic beverages. Dehydration also plays a huge factor in developing hangovers and constipation, so keeping up with your water intake can help you avoid unpleasant consequences of partying.

Adjust Your Fitness Routine

During the holidays, you may get invited to plenty of parties, which may make your schedule a bit hectic. If this happens, remember to adjust your fitness routine according to your schedule. One tip is to break your workout into shorter blocks of time so you can still get some exercise done. 

Alternatively, find opportunities to get a bit of a workout throughout the day. For example, you can take the stairs instead of riding the elevator in your office building. You can also dance the night away at one of the parties, helping you stay active and burn excess calories while having fun.

Focus on the Party

Instead of staying near the buffet table or bar, put your attention back on the event itself. Talk to your friends, meet new people, enjoy the music, and participate in activities. It will help you enjoy the fun moments and keep your mind away from overindulging in tasty temptations.

With the abundance of food and drinks at parties, it can be challenging to stop yourself from grabbing more than a few bites and sips. While this is fine on occasion, you need to be mindful of what and how much you eat and drink. Instead of overindulging, keep everything in moderation along with these suggestions. They will help you stay healthy, enjoy the party, and feel good the next day.