Know Your Trigger Foods: There are certain kinds of food that get even the most dedicated dieters every time. Once they start, they just can’t seem to stop, no matter how strong their will power appears to be. “Trigger foods should be avoided because they set off overeating of the trigger food itself plus other foods,” advises Hermann. Some constantly crave sugar. For others, it’s saltier foods. If you have difficulty eating a just few potato chips for example, you may want to eliminate them altogether so that you don’t set off a feeding frenzy.

For kids, sugar is a given want during the holidays. Try to limit the sugars in their line of sight. If you can’t do that, let them have a few but help them pace themselves.

Fill Up On Fruit: Although eating lots of fruits and vegetables sounds like something to add to your list of New Year’s resolution, there’s no time like the present. “Holiday foods are typically calorie-concentrated foods made with lots of cream and butter,” says Hermann. “You can try to avoid going overboard by filling up on healthy fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains before you hit the hors d’oeuvres table.” This may not prevent you from popping a cheese puff or two, but you will have at least given your body some healthy fuel.

For the kids, make up small plates of fruit. Try arranging it in interesting patterns. Let your child see you eating fruit rather than the sweet stuff. It’s hard to convince them if you are not practicing what you preach.