When it comes to holiday eating at social events, the choices can be overwhelming. Most holiday foods are laden with fat and calories that might railroad your healthy eating plan. If you do not have a plan, it is easy to overindulge. The good news is that with some preparation you could stick with your weight loss regimen and even treat yourself to a few desserts without packing on the pounds this year!

The typical American holiday season begins on Thanksgiving and continues through New Years Day. During this time, a typical American gains 5-10 pounds. With parties to attend, shopping, baking, cleaning, and other holiday related demands, weight loss efforts tend to get reprioritized. This holiday season can be different and you can start by making Thanksgiving dinner a lot healthier. Here are some great Thanksgiving substitutions and recipes without the excess calories and fat.

Meal replacements are pre-packaged meals intended to make it easier and more efficient for an individual to control his or her portion sizes when trying to lose weight. They are available over-the-counter and are typically fortified with vitamins and minerals, and contain around 300 calories or less per serving.