Most people consider holidays, birthdays, and special occasions a time to forget about their dieting routine and indulge in rich, delicious and most often fattening foods.  Although the temptation to throw healthy eating habits out the window may be stronger than usual during these times of celebration, it's important to remember how essential it is to continue healthy eating habits all year round, whether at home, work or at play.  So when considering that occasional slice of birthday cake or second helping of stuffing, just remember the philosophy that nutritionists and dieticians alike subscribe to as their motto: "everything in moderation."

To help maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should be feeding your body the right foods to help ensure that you are receiving all of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that your body needs to function at its best.  One good way to ensure that your body is getting everything that it needs to refer to the Food Guide Pyramid* of the U.S. Department of Agriculture/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The Pyramid recommends the following daily servings:

• Eat Sparingly: Foods of fats, oils and sweets
• 2-3 Servings: Foods from the groups of the "milk, yogurt & cheese" and "meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs & nuts"
• 3-5 Servings: Foods from the "vegetable" and "fruit" groups
• 6-11 Servings: Food from the "bread, cereal, rice & pasta" group

In addition to eating the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients, you need to practice healthy eating habits.  A few quick tips are:

• Eat breakfast.  Your body needs fuel to get going so start your day off right with breakfast.  Drink 100 percent fruit juice or have a banana with your cereal or take an apple for your commute to work.
• Have easy access to the right snacks.  Cravings come and go, and it's easier to eat something healthy if it's right there.  So when you go to the grocery store, make a shopping list of healthy snacks (e.g. celery sticks, cucumber wedges, and cherry tomatoes) and keep them with you in your briefcase, office, car and home.
• Read the labels.  Just because a product is labeled "lite" or "fat free," it doesn't mean it is calorie free.  In fact, fat free or reduced fat products can have as many, if not more, calories per serving than regular products.  You do need to watch your fat intake, but remember that calories count too.
• Eat lean meat.  There's no reason you have to give up eating meat.  Just choose the leanest cuts (such as beef round, loin, sirloin, pork loin chops, turkey, chicken and roasts) to help reduce fat.  A quick tip to remember: all cuts with the name "loin" or "round" are lean.  And if you cook the meat yourself, trim all visible fat and drain the grease.
• Use oil sparingly.  Fried foods taste great, but they are not great for you.  They're high in fat, but if you're going to indulge here are a few suggestions.  Use oils sparingly (try olive and canola oils).  Bake chicken without the skin.  Substitute a baked potato for french fries.
• Order "regular" size.  Fast food combines two essential needs: things in a hurry and food.  Unfortunately, fast food tends to also combine a lot of fat and calories and they offer the option to order a larger size.  So when you need food on the run, try ordering a lean roast beef or grilled chicken sandwich and keep it to the "regular" size.

So at home, work and play eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains daily and a minimal number of processed foods that are high in sugars, fats, and oil; practice healthy eating habits; and you'll still get the nutrients and taste, but not the extra calories or fat.