How to hold a healthy office holiday party

After an entire year of watching your waistlines and sticking to the company wellness program, why throw it all away with a holiday party full of high-fat, sugar-filled treats. This year, plan an office holiday party that is both festive and healthy.

Here are some simple tips to use when throwing a healthy office holiday party:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables. Make it a goal to cover at least half of the table with fruit and vegetable dishes. Try great winter fruit options like apple slices, orange slices, melon cubes, sliced pineapple and grape tomatoes. For vegetable trays, try baby carrots, celery sticks, and broccoli and cauliflower florets.


• Provide a variety of beverage choices. Offer a wide variety of no- and low-calorie drink options for everyone at the office to enjoy. Try mint tea, diet soft drinks, water, coffee and holiday punch made with diet soda.


• Prepare lean meats. Find holiday meats that are low in fat and high in protein. Provide healthier meat options including sliced turkey breast, lean ham and sliced lean roast beef. Try healthy seafood options like cooked shrimp with cocktail sauce and broiled salmon.


• Lighten up on the sweets. Instead of the typical high-sugar holiday treats, serve light desserts or assorted bite-size sweets. Use mini cupcake pans to cook up bite-sized cupcakes, brownies and cheesecake. Remember to keep toppings on the lighter side by offering light ice cream, frozen yogurt or light whip cream.


• Get physical. Whenever possible, get everyone up and moving. Hire a DJ or have everyone bring in their favorite CDs, whatever it takes to get party-goers dancing and working off those calories. If nobody is in the mood to dance, organize an activity like touch football, volleyball, charades or musical chairs.


• Use small plates. Eating off of small plates is one of the most effective tricks in the book to keep from eating too much. It encourages people to eat smaller portions and feel like they’re filling up.

Try to hold a healthy office holiday party this year that leaves everyone feeling satisfied and guilt-free. Your coworkers, and their waistlines, will be sure to thank you.