What to Eat Before a Holiday Party to Avoid Overeating

Even when a big holiday dinner is on the way, eating your usual meals throughout the day is the better approach. If you skip breakfast or lunch, you may be so hungry by the time the party starts that it's tough to think through what you're putting on your plate.

Kick off the morning with a healthy breakfast, then follow it with a lunch that keeps you satisfied. Build both meals around protein, carbohydrates that are rich in fiber, and healthy fats, since they work together to help keep your hunger under control. Scrambled eggs and whole-grain toast or a turkey sandwich piled with vegetables are two good examples, though you have lots of other options.

If a few hours have passed since you last ate, eating a little something about 1 to 2 hours before you head out can take the edge off your hunger. Look for foods with protein and fiber, since both help you stay full longer. Here are a few easy pre-party options:

• Greek yogurt and berries. You get protein from the yogurt and fiber from the berries, which makes this a satisfying pairing. Our Honey Yogurt Berry Parfaits are a tasty way to enjoy the combo.
• Peanut butter and apple slices. The apple adds fiber, while the peanut butter supplies protein and fat to help you hold off hunger.
• Whole-grain crackers and hummus. Together, they give you fiber, healthy fats, and protein from plants. Try a few crackers with our homemade Garlic Hummus.
• Fruit and a hard-boiled egg. It's a simple option with protein and fiber that won't leave you feeling too full.
• A small bowl of oatmeal topped with nuts. Thanks to the whole grains and nuts, it can keep you feeling satisfied until it's time to celebrate.

Keep in mind that you're not trying to fill up before you get there. The point is to avoid arriving so hungry that you keep eating until you're uncomfortable.

Planning to drink alcohol at a holiday get-together? Then eating ahead of time is even more important. Having food in your stomach slows down how fast alcohol gets into your bloodstream, so you may not feel its effects as quickly as you would on an empty stomach.

Before drinking, a balanced meal with protein, carbohydrates, and fat is a smart pick. Just know that food won't keep you from becoming intoxicated. How much alcohol you drink still matters, and eating doesn't make it safe to get behind the wheel after you've been drinking.

Sipping water through the night is also a good idea, and so is switching back and forth between alcoholic drinks and nonalcoholic ones, like our festive Strawberry Lime Punch.

When you get to the party, take a look at everything being served before you start filling your plate. Pick the foods you really want, take your time eating them, and notice when your body tells you it's satisfied. Our mindful eating tips can help you tune in to those signals. Because you ate something before you arrived, you'll spend less time thinking about how hungry you are and more time enjoying your favorite foods and celebrating with family and friends.