What 1,500 Calories Looks Like (Holiday Edition)

The holiday season is synonymous with decadent dinners, social events and cookies at every turn. The good news is it’s still possible to stick to a healthy eating plan without depriving yourself. The secret is steering clear of the “all or nothing” mindset and instead, choosing to savor the dishes you enjoy the most and skipping the ones you don’t love as much or can eat anytime. This one shift alone can help you manage your holiday eating and maintain (rather than gain) weight.

This sample menu for healthy holiday eats offers a tasty example of how to pair a filling breakfast, veggie-packed lunch and protein-and-veggie based dinner with decadent favorites like spinach dip, eggnog and cookies — all for about 1,500 calories.