Picnics and Weddings and Parties...Oh, My!
May 27, 2004

This weekend kicks off the unofficial start of summer. Will you be attending a Memorial Day party or picnic? Do you have graduation parties to attend in June? Weddings? Family Reunions? Many of us will be attending at least a few summertime parties and events. And some of us will party hop our way through the summer months. Is it possible to keep our health in mind and still have fun? Of course it is! Here are some tips to help you do just that!

GO FOR THE COMPANY, NOT THE FOOD
You're there for a reason...and it's not the food. Take the time to talk with friends and family you don't see very often. Take part in the sports or games that are being played. Spend some time with the kids and just PLAY!

DON'T GO ON AN EMPTY STOMACH
Forget what your mother told you....go ahead and "ruin your meal." When you're hungry, you're more likely to overeat or make unhealthy choices. Have something small like a piece of fruit, a half of a sandwich, or an English muffin topped with low-fat cheese or peanut butter. You will be MUCH less likely to over-indulge at the party!

DON'T BE PICK-Y
Try not to "pick" your way around the party...a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Instead, choose a few different foods or snacks that you really enjoy. Put these on your plate and enjoy every bite!

BYOD (Bring Your Own Dessert)
Use one of the healthy fruit recipes in last week's e-Well Tip or find a new one that you like even better. Don't rely on others to have healthy dishes for you to enjoy. Bring a healthier dessert option and maybe even a healthy side dish or snack to enjoy!

DON'T FORGET TO PLAN
For example, if you'll be attending an evening event, try to eat a lighter breakfast, lunch, and snack that day. Look at your day as a whole package -- if you'd like to enjoy a couple of favorite high-fat or high-sugar foods at night, having a large breakfast and lunch could lead to a very high calorie day. If you plan ahead, you are setting yourself up for a fun AND healthy celebration!

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