Dec 11, 2011 3 min read

(ARA) – From cocktail parties to New Year’s bashes, ’tis the season for endless celebrations with friends, family and food – and lots of it. Facing multiple parties packed with those indulgent holiday goodies can be a challenge to anyone’s weight loss goals. But with the right strategy, you’ll be celebrating even after the party has ended.

One person who has mastered maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the holidays with Weight Watchers is Grammy Award-winning recording artist and Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson. “When it comes to those once a year family favorite recipes, I don’t say no. It’s all about moderation and portion sizes,” says Hudson. “I also remind myself that food is just a small part of the holidays. The biggest gift to me is having a chance to celebrate with my family and friends.”

Here is Jennifer’s “at a glance” entertainment guide to a healthy holiday season:

* Power pack the party foods. Jennifer always pairs a few of her indulgent holiday favorites with low-fat, fiber-filled finger foods. Weight Watchers calls the ingredients to these recipes Power Foods because they offer the best nutritional bang for your buck, and they’re filling, so you’ll stay satisfied longer. They include lean protein, fruit, veggies, whole grains and fat-free dairy. One of Jennifer’s favorites is layering a sliced cucumber with avocado, low-fat wasabi mayo and shrimp.

* Dress like a star. Ditch the baggy sweaters and stretchy pants. Get gorgeous for the party with that dress or skinny jeans that show off your best assets. Jennifer always likes to wear something tailored because it helps her feel confident.

* Chill out with some steamy drinks. Create a hot beverage bar with a variety of light holiday favorites such as apple cider, lattes and flavorful teas. Let your guests create customized concoctions by stocking up on fat-free whipped toppings, sugar-free syrups and rich spices.

* Cut the rug – and some calories! Parties don’t have to be all about consuming calories. Look for fun ways to burn calories, too. Dancing is not only a great cardiovascular work-out, but it’s also an easy way to inject instant entertainment into your party and help guest intermingle.

As the party winds down, get a head start on the clean-up effort and send your final guests home with the remaining holiday goodies. This will serve as your party favor to help avoid being faced with those lingering leftovers, and will give you more time to start planning your next healthy gathering with family and friends.