Healthy eating for holiday parties

'Tis the season to bring out that holiday cocktail dress, party hop and enjoy time indoors with family and friends. But, for all the party hopping you do this holiday season, how do you keep your figure and enjoy the best munchies at the bash?

Real Simple Magazine posted a great guide to choosing between red and white wine to simple appetizers. Here are my favorites from their guide:

Red or white wine?
Red wine wins this one for its cholesterol healthy and anti-blood clotting benefits. But, if you're prone to headaches, stick with white over red instead.

Hard vs. soft cheeses
When going in for the dairy, it's best to stick to soft cheeses which can be up to 40 calories less than its harder counterparts. On the other hand, you will get a more powerful punch of calcium from harder cheeses, offering up to 200 mg more.

Pigs in a blanket or mini quiche?
Although both options won't work wonders for your figure, quiche will score you some nutritional benefits like calcium and protein.

Ham vs. roast beef Both are great sources of protein, but roast beef will score you almost three times as much iron, vitamin B. Ham contains more sodium than roast beef.

Chocolate kisses or candy canes?
This one goes to the cane. Although candy canes are almost pure sugar, nibbling on one of these will hold you over longer than a kiss.

Check the link for more tips like gingerbread vs. sugar cookies and coco vs eggnog as well. And as always, consider alternative tricks while out during the holidays. Filling up before you go out will save you from munching too much, and socializing away from the kitchen counter will also help you limit snacking on holiday treats.