***Many people look forward to holiday parties and dinners during the holidays. However, with the hustle and bustle of the season, healthy eating and exercise can get overlooked. The average American gains one to two pounds each holiday season.

 

Here are some tips to help prevent weight gain during the holidays:

* If you’ve been trying to lose weight, shift your focus from weight loss to weight maintenance

* trim calories if it won’t affect tradition or flavor in holiday foods and serve healthier desserts

* offer lighter appetizers like shrimp cocktails, reduced-fat cheese, or fruits and vegetables and add more vegetable and fruit dishes.

* roast or grill foods for rich flavor and fewer calories

* try to plan your calories and fit in exercise so you can enjoy holiday foods

 

Also, many people will prepare food for meals and celebrations. To protect yourself and your family from food poisoning and keep food safe:

* use a food thermometer to make sure food is heated high enough to kill bacteria and keep food hot after cooking at 135°F or above and reheat cooked foods to 165°F or higher

* wash hands and surfaces often, cleaning hands for 20 seconds with soap and running water; also wash fruits and vegetables, but not meat, poultry, or eggs and wash surfaces and utensils after each use.

 

* refrigerate perishable foods within two hours, never thaw or marinate foods on the counter and know when to throw foods out by visiting www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/storagetimes.html)

* use separate cutting boards and plates for produce and for meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs and keep meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods in your grocery bags and in the refrigerator.

* signs of food poisoning can include upset stomach, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and dehydration. These can be mild to severe and may differ depending on the germ that is making you sick.

 

* if you think you may have food poisoning, call your doctor. Also, if you suspect food poisoning from eating at a food service establishment or a large gathering, contact the Barry Eaton District Health Department.

For more information on healthy holiday eating, visit http://www.webmd.com/diet/holiday-foods-diet and http://www.cdc.gov/family/holiday/. For food safety information, visit www.foodsafety.gov.