I’m the last person to suggest that the holidays are a good time to consider a big lifestyle change like completely plunging into the healthy eating lifestyle I recommend. There’s just too much going on, not enough time to implement, long lines at stores, holiday shopping and events to schedule, you name it. But just because you aren’t quite ready to start a more powerful weight loss program right now, I wanted to share 4 simple healthy eating guidelines to tide you over till the holiday fanfare is over!

Stick to simple dishes. Odds are likely that Aunt Susan’s sweet potato-pumpkin-pecan casserole is a conglomeration of many, many not-so-healthy ingredients, any of which would trigger cravings in a horse! :) But simpler fare is typically not so tough to tackle. Think baked potatoes or sweet potatoes instead of that mountain of potatoes in cream sauce with a “cream of” soup mixed in for good measure.

Focus on fruit desserts. In fact, bring the fruit tray yourself, and you’re ensured of a lovely, delicious dessert that doesn’t hurt your waistline. Feeling decadent? Grab a jar of Wax Orchard’s delicious, but decidedly healthy fudge sauce (which you can find here and at better health food stores all around the country) to dip your fresh fruit in.

Make the sides your main meal. Have big group meals coming up? Even if you want to eat some of the main dish at the holidays, load up on the healthier side dishes such as veggies and salad. Again, bringing your own salad and salad dressing to gatherings ensures that you have something delicious to eat that’s also healthy.

Practice portion control ONLY when you have to. I hate, hate, hate portion control as a weight loss strategy because it forces you to rely on willpower. And while willpower is certainly a renewable resource of sorts, the less you have to use willpower, the more effective it is right there in the moment when you’re having your senses tempted with a particular food that isn’t as healthy as you’d like.

I recommend trying to set up holiday meals so that you can follow the broader healthy eating guidelines I follow as much as possible, but at the same time, don’t stress yourself out so much that you lose your commitment to eating more healthfully in the process! You can ALWAYS get back to effective healthy eating guidelines at the next meal or the next day. You don’t have to be perfect, just headed in a better direction, to make a big impact on your life and your health.