A nutritionist shares tips for a healthy holiday season and how to manage overeating during celebrations.

“In addition, fatty and sugary foods can harm your figure and lead to weight gain. You can avoid such unpleasantness by following a few simple rules,” explained the specialist.

The expert recommended dividing the dishes on the New Year's table evenly between healthy and less healthy options. This way, you can balance out the fatty and sweet foods with something fresh and nutritious.

“You should also approach festive treats wisely, opting for chicken breast instead of legs and wings. Be sure to add plenty of greens to salads, and make the dressing light,” advised Sirosh.

Instead of mayonnaise, the nutritionist suggests using Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream.

“Fruits and nuts during the feast can help distract from candies and cakes. They contain healthy fats that stabilize blood sugar spikes and reduce insulin levels, which are responsible for weight gain. Healthy desserts can help prevent the scale from tipping the morning after the celebration. You can make a sweet treat from baked apples, nuts, and cinnamon. Instead of regular lemonades, it’s better to drink water infused with fruit, berries, and mint,” the nutritionist suggested.

It’s advisable to drink water alongside alcohol to monitor the effects of intoxication. It’s best to avoid strong drinks, tinctures, and beer, sticking to sparkling wine or light ciders instead. All food should be steamed or braised to minimize the impact on the stomach and liver.

To avoid suffering from overeating throughout the holiday, it’s also important to calculate portions wisely. You can refer to banquet norms typically used in restaurants. For each person, this means three servings of hearty salads at 150 g each, at least one vegetable, 200 g of a hot dish, 50 g of cold cuts, and 75 g of desserts. Keep in mind that each guest will require 1.5 bottles of wine and 2 liters of non-alcoholic beverages.