SHAPE UP
Make it a season for moderation

By Charles Stuart Platkin

It's holiday time, which means celebrating with family and friends is at the top of the list. So we loosen up and let loose, and I'm not just talking about our belts. And that can be dangerous for our diets.

According to a recent review article appearing in the journal Nutrition, the more people present while dining, the greater the quantity of food each one consumed, with a caloric increase of as much as 76 percent per person when there were seven or more people at the table.

Additionally, portions eaten with others were 44 percent larger and contained more calories than those eaten alone. This increased eating occurred regardless of the time of day or whether it was a meal or a snack.

"The larger the group and the better we know you, the more we eat," says review author John M. de Castro, chairman of the psychology department at the University of Texas at El Paso.

The reason? "We spend more time at the table with larger groups where we enjoy the company," says de Castro. So, to avoid packing on the pounds in the company of those you hold near and dear, here are a few tips:

Leave the table

If you're hosting the party, suggest leaving the dinner table right after the meal is finished and moving to a "more comfortable" sitting area. Or, if you're a guest, perhaps you can suggest this to your host before the event.

Plan for stress

Parties and holidays increase stress, says Amy Gorin, assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown Medical School, Providence, R.I. She recommends coming up with a plan such as losing a bit of weight before the holidays to create a buffer zone, or simply taking some "alone time" to relax before big events.

Go small

Using smaller plates and bowls will help you and your guests with portion control. The smaller they are, the less food you are likely to consume.

Watch out for food pushers

All of us know someone who is a food pusher. These are the people who are always telling you that you look great, and in fact, "You're getting too thin." "How can one bite hurt?" they ask. Or, "It's a birthday party!" or "You have to at least have a taste." Or perhaps they keep telling you, "You're fine just the way you are."

Your so-called "support group" may not want to see you "suffer" through yet another diet. But they may also be trying to sabotage you because they are jealous of your newfound goals or because they feel guilty about not having made the same choice to pursue a healthier lifestyle.

"Your family and friends could be hurting your best intentions to lose and control your weight," says Gorin.

Mentally rehearse a few key phrases like, "Oh, no thanks. I couldn't eat another thing." Or try the truth: "I'm dieting, and eating that piece of cake will throw me off track."

Take it off

Don't bring big plates of food to the table. Instead, try serving each person and then taking the rest of the food back to the kitchen. If you're the host, put the leftovers in the fridge as soon as you finish serving, leaving a bit out for seconds. Keep water, unsweetened iced tea or diet soda on the table —drinking will fill you up.

Skip the liquor

"We also drink more alcohol when we are in large familiar groups," says de Castro. We tend to eat a lot more if we are drinking liquor because we let our guards down. Plus, we don't think about the calories we drink when we're eating a large meal — but they can add up to as many as 600 calories for just three drinks.

Sit in the right armchair

Sit near the healthiest people in the room. We tend to model the behavior of those around us. So, if you're around people who tend to eat a lot of unhealthy foods, be extra careful. Also be wary of those who can eat whatever they want and not gain weight — eating with them can create a desire to overindulge.

Avoid guilt

Maybe you get to a party and your host is serving appetizers. You may not even be hungry, but you eat "just because" the food is right there, and you don't want to make the host or others feel bad.

How many times have you heard a family member or friend tell you that you'll spoil the party if you don't partake in the food festivities, or that it's bad luck not to have at least a taste? Keep your goals and desire to lose weight clear to avoid being sidetracked.

Indulge beforehand

Eat before you go out to a major event, holiday party, or dinner — stuff yourself with healthy, low-calorie foods so it will be easier for you to eat less of the "bad" stuff.

Charles Stuart Platkin is a nutrition and public-health advocate. Write to info@thedietdetective.com.