Jeni enjoys Friendsgiving with her friend and colleague, Rock Valley Physical Therapist, Anna Perry.

By Nutritionist Blogger Jeni Tackett, RD, LD

Friendsgiving is all the rage. Not only do I get invited to Friendsgiving but even my teenage son has an annual Friendsgiving. Hanging out with friends is good for your soul but multiple splurge meals during the holidays is not good for your waistline.

Here are 5 tips for making the Friendsgiving season healthier:

• Bring something healthy: If you are concerned with having something healthy to eat, bring a veggie tray, salad, or fruit plate.

• Drink more water: Friendsgivings often include alcohol. Sugary alcoholic drinks are often a go-to. If you partake in these beverages, make sure to drink plenty of water. You can still be fancy with some club soda or seltzer water and a splash of cranberry juice.

• Sit down: Resist the urge to stand by the hors d’oeuvres and graze. Fill a plate with at least half healthy options such as fruits, veggies, and nuts and the rest with the higher calorie options.

• Be choosy: Pick only the foods you really want to spend your calories on. The Friendsgiving that I recently attended had a variety of small desserts making portion control easier. You can share a dessert or take a small portion. Remember that the first three bites taste the best, so having a large dessert is often less satisfying and leaves you feeling overfull.

• Balance your day: When you have evens such as a Friendsgiving, make sure to move that day and eat healthy the other 2 meals. You could start your day with oatmeal and have a salad with lean protein and fruit for your lunch meal.

A healthy Friendsgiving starts with a plan: plan for enjoying the food and conversation without overindulging!

Meet Jeni Tackett, Let’s Move Quad Cities Nutrition Blogger. Jeni is a registered and licensed dietitian for Rock Valley Health. Jeni counsels her clients on weight loss and nutrition. You can read Jeni’s bio and other blog posts by clicking here.