How to keep it light over the holidays

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If you must indulge any time of the year, it's now. Family gatherings are literally centered around the decadent meals on the dining table (unless you're a kid, then the kids' table is gateway to the more important, more enjoyable gaming time).

We all know it's next to impossible to say no to your grandma when she's insisting on a third serving of mashed potatoes, so that is out of the question. Instead, we've found some relatively simple tips to keeping it light during the holidays.

1. Use a salad plate

There's a saying my svelte, Spanish friend used to tell me, "your eyes are bigger than your stomach." Use a small plate so you're forced to choose portions of your dishes and not overdo it. If you're not able to identify what your limits are, let your plate do it for you.

2. Keep the plate the opposite colour of the meal

It's so mind-boggingly simple that it works. In Cornell behavioural science professor Brian Wansink's book 'Mindless Eating', he conducted a study where he'd let students serve themselves white pasta or red marinara pasta on either a red or white plate. Wansink found that students who had matching pasta and plates (white pasta on a white plate or red pasta on a red plate) served themselves 18 per cent more than students with opposing colour plates and meals.

3. Don't come to the party starving

Have a mini-meal before you start the party so you're not desperately scarfing down and stockpiling on heavy carbs to satisfy your hunger. Nom on some whole wheat grains such as cereals or oats. High fibre is your friend here.

4. Eat like the Europeans

How do the French stay so slender? They have two- hour lunches. Not ony does this give you more time to appreciate your food, but you're also getting the chance to feel the food fill you up more. Eat slower (this doesn't meeting eating at your regular speed, but for a longer time! Stretch out your regular servings for a longer time), and even though this is easier said than done, try engaging in conversation with some of your relatives to keep your mouth busy from chewing. Your great Aunt and your stomach will both appreciate the catch-up.