Sharon Collison, a dietitian at the UD Nutrition Clinic and clinical nutrition instructor, recommends increasing physical activity during the holiday season before the new year.

Q: How can I enjoy my favorite Christmas foods without overdoing them?

Collision: Don’t skip meals on vacation. If you’re too hungry when it’s time to serve the holiday meal, it will be more difficult to control portions. Also make choices. Decide which foods in the meal you like best and eat a moderate portion (like a cup). For example, if the meal includes mashed potatoes and sweet potato casserole, decide which one you like best and enjoy it. Try to be more mindful of your choices, eat slowly and make sure you know how much you are eating. Check in throughout the meal and pay attention to signals of fullness.

Q: How can I maintain a positive body image during indulgent season?

Collision: Wear clothes that make you feel most confident AND comfortable. Avoid clothing that is too tight, which will make you feel even more uncomfortable after eating. Also make physical activity a priority during the holiday season. Several studies support the benefit of physical activity on body image independent of the effect on body weight.

Q: Will dessert kill my diet or is it all about balance?

Collision: Absolutely not! The problem is diets, not desserts. I recommend eating dessert while paying attention to portions and eating mindfully. Not allowing yourself dessert or depriving yourself can backfire and lead to extreme dieting and bingeing, which is more harmful to your well-being.

Q: What are some tips for moderating alcohol consumption during the holiday season?

Collision: Alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water or flavored seltzer. It will also help you stay hydrated.

Q: What are some festive non-alcoholic drink options for celebrations?

Collision: Flavored seltzer with added orange slices and fresh cranberries.

Q: How do you stay active during the colder holiday months?

Collision: Bundle up in layers and go for a walk/hike. Buy inexpensive exercise equipment, such as a stationary bike, to exercise without going out or to a gym. Set a daily step goal and achieve it at home by walking and talking on the phone with family or friends, dancing, and cleaning.

Q: How can I deal with food guilt or pressure to eat during family meals?

Collision: Depending on your situation and family dynamics, consider talking to your family about perceived pressure to eat. Think about how you want to eat at holiday gatherings and tell your family that you may eat differently than you did in the past. Ask them not to comment or seek attention and to allow you to do what is best for you.

Try to avoid extremes in your diet; neither extreme works in the long run. Being too restrictive doesn’t allow you to enjoy food. Food is meant to be enjoyed. Allow yourself to enjoy special foods during the holidays. Pay attention to both extremes so you don’t underfeed or overeat. If you’re still struggling with guilt or feel like you can’t avoid these extremes, consider working with a registered dietitian and psychotherapist who have the training to help you.

Q: How can I make healthier choices when traveling for vacation?

Collision: Consider packing certain foods to give yourself more options. For example, bring everything you need to continue your breakfast routine. Plan lunch ideas that you think help you feel better. Since breakfast and lunch are closer to your usual routine, allow yourself more flexibility with your dinner.

Also, don’t be afraid to plan ahead and research restaurants with options you like.

Finally, make it a goal to ensure that each meal/snack includes a serving of fruit or vegetables, which will help you eat smaller portions of higher-calorie foods.

Q: How do you return to a balanced diet after a season of indulgences and hearty meals?

Collision: If you avoid eating much more than usual at holiday meals, you will have a much easier time returning to your usual eating habits.

But try not to view the holiday season as a time to avoid setting limits on food intake. Make choices about where you want to eat more than you otherwise would, but make those choices mindfully and try not to view any meal as an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Q: What small steps can I take to set healthy goals for the new year?

Collision: Avoid the common goal of starting a diet on January 1st or 2nd. Instead, start increasing physical activity during the holiday season.

Focus on what to add to your diet rather than what to avoid; try setting a goal to ensure every meal/snack includes vegetables and/or fruit, eat two servings of whole grains/day, or eat a plant-based meal once/day or three meals/week.