If you’re on a diet plan or just trying to maintain your weight, the holiday season is a dangerous time to try and get through. With all of the delicious foods and drinks everywhere you look, it can be easy to gain more than a few pounds during the winter months. It can be very difficult to stick to any sort of diet plan at parties, too, because you don’t want to be the odd one out and put a damper on everyone’s mood. Here are a few tips that you can use to stick to your diet this holiday season, while still being able to enjoy everything about the festive season.

Never Show Up Hungry

If you can make sure to have a light snack before heading to a party, you are much less likely to overindulge in fattening foods. If you show up ravenous, you’ll overeat! Have a small salad, a cup of yoghurt, or some cottage cheese—anything with fiber or protein in it is a great idea, because these foods will help keep you full. You can also ask the host of the party for a glass of water once you arrive, to help fill you up even more.

Eat the Right Things

Sometimes, parties may have a few healthy choices on the menu. Before diving into a meal, look at what’s in front of you: do you see any salads with no mayonnaise, or any fruit or vegetable platters? How about grilled chicken skewers, or shrimp cocktails? Fill your plate with the healthiest options on the table, but if you want to try a bite of a pie or have a slice of cake, make sure you allow yourself to enjoy these things occasionally while keeping your diet in mind.

Avoid Alcohol

While this one may be impossible to follow completely, even minimizing the amount of alcohol you consume can help you on your quest to stick to your diet this holiday season. Cocktails, beers, and ciders contain a lot of calories, and wouldn’t you rather eat your calories than drink them? If you must have a drink, try to fill your glass with more ice; if you can choose what to drink, water is always best.