Do you love holidays, but hate the increase in weight that follows? You are not alone. Holidays are times for eating and celebrating, especially with the cultural foods of our heritage. With proper planning, though, it is possible to maintain normal weight during the holidays. The idea is to enjoy the holidays and think in terms of moderation. Whether it is celebrating at the office party or sitting down at the traditional family dinner, approach eating as a time for tasting or sampling a variety of foods. Here are some tips to carry you through the round of celebrations and your social calendar without feeling guilty. Set realistic goal. Unless you have special dietary needs there are no forbidden foods. Don't deny yourself the foods you enjoy, but be sensible. Don't skip meals. Before you leave home, have a small, low-fat meal or snack. This can help you to avoid overindulging. Control portions. Use a small plate and avoid the large plate that may encourage you to 'load up.' You should be most comfortable eating an amount of food about the size of your fist. Once you have had enough, move away from the buffet. Doing so will make it less tempting to be eating constantly as your appetite is stimulated by the sight of the food. Eat slowly and savor. Look upon eating as a time for tasting or sampling different kinds of foods. Savor the flavours. Eating at a slow pace. Fill up beforehand with clear soup and raw fruit or vegetables. Put raw vegetables and fruit in a yogurt (乳酸) dressing rather than cream and cheese sauces. Drink a large glass of water before you eat to help you feel full. If you have a sweet tooth, try mints, hard candies, and fruits. These don't have the fat content of creamy desserts and chocolate. Maintain physical activity. Don't let exercise take a break during the holidays. A 20-minute brisk walk after a meal can help burn off excess calories. Avoid high-fat foods. Dishes that look oily or creamy may have a generous amount of fat. Choose lean meats. Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables. The purpose of the article is to help people ______.