On the occasion of a celebration meal, do not derail your healthy eating plans.  Stick with strategies that work for you.  The meal pictured was at a great steak restaurant in Seattle.  The steak was cooked to perfection, but there was WAY too much food so I took half of the meal home for the next day.

• Before leaving, commit to focusing on socializing rather than eating
• Position yourself away from hors d’oeuvres
• Pass on any fried or high-fat hor d’oeuvres
• Peruse the buffet table before filling your plate
• Eat only half of a high fat/calorie entrée
• Pass on the bread basket
• Limit alcohol intake to two drinks and sip seltzer/water in between
• Have one slice of cake and do not finish it
• Dancing?  get out on the floor
• Kindly decline any high-calorie, fat-laden leftovers

(Celebration tips from Keri Gans, RD)