Ho, ho, ho and no, no, no. Do you have visions of sugar plums dancing in your head, or is it images of chocolatey fudge going straight to your waistline?

There’s no reason to dread packing on pounds during the holidays, however. All it takes is a little planning.

From office parties to festive daily treats, help employees ring in a healthier New Year by making smarter choices.

Think of it this way: Gaining one pound takes an extra 500 calories a day or 3,500 calories a week, according to the Mayo Clinic. By tweaking favorite recipes, it’s easy to carve off the calories and needless fat.

Applesauce, for example, can be added to quick breads or muffins instead of butter, margarine or oil. Check out these substitutes offered by eatright.org:

– Fat-free sour cream, yogurt and whipped topping take the “heavy” out of pie toppings, dips and sauces.

– One egg can be swapped with two egg whites, cutting down on cholesterol.

– Instead of smothering that infamous green bean casserole with friend onions, use chopped almonds instead.

Encourage your staff to bring in healthy snacks. Sliced apples and whole grapes can be quite festive alongside lowfat cheese and reduced-fat crackers. Veggie trays featuring carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes and broccoli can be served up with a lowfat dip. And that sugary mixture in the punch bowl?

Refrain from high-calorie ingredients. Instead, pack your punch with natural fruit juices and fresh fruit (strawberries and blueberries are always a hit).

Challenge your workforce to come up with the best-tasting fare by holding a holiday recipe contest. Award them for their efforts with a gift card for a soul-rejuvenating massage or other heart-healthy treat.

The holidays should be filled with joy, not needless calorie-induced weight gain. Greet 2015 with a healthy attitude and no high-calorie regrets!

Copyright ©2014 Star Wellness USA