Oh, what a great feeling it is to know that the holidays are coming and how boring life would be without them! People have always found reasons to celebrate and gather around a festive table where food is a focus, a reward and pleasure for everyone involved.

What holidays are held without treats? In anticipation of the coming holidays, following are a few tips to help you survive celebrating the season without dire consequences for your waistline or your health.

• Try to make your own salad dressing. It will be fresher, tastier and 100% healthier than anything you can buy.

• When deciding on a main course, poultry and fish are the better choices, but if you want red meat, choose small portions.

• Nothing dresses up a table like fresh fruits and vegetables. Use them for both eating and decorating. Put out bowls of colorful fruit. Surround platters with colorful vegetable like squash, tomatoes and kale.

• Did you know fresh tomatoes can help digest meat faster and easier? Be sure to include them in your holiday menu.

• Greens like lettuce, parsley, cilantro and dill inhibit the absorption of fat. They are wonderful in salads, dressings, meat dishes and soups.

• Try not to eat sweet fruits or fatty snacks or salads after meat or meals to avoid that overfilled feeling. Concentrate on acidic fruits and drinks, which stimulate digestive enzymes. Particularly valuable is the pineapple. It contains bromelain, a natural fat burner.

• If possible, avoid pickles and marinades because they stimulate your appetite.

• To avoid overeating, try starting your meals with a light salad. Remember that overeating can exacerbate chronic conditions at any time of the year, not only during the holidays.

• Drink lots of fluids, preferably water, during the holidays as this will prevent overeating. Overconsumption of food slows the output of fluid from the body.

• For two or three days after overeating, double your intake of liquid. It is better to drink plain water or fresh juices and avoid any drinks that contain caffeine.

Food is not only a way to satisfy vital human needs. We also get aesthetic pleasure from its appearance, taste and aroma. The best memories seem to be made around a festive table. By following these tips, you can both indulge and maintain your weight over the holidays.