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Tips TO party AND stay low carb

This time OF year seems TO bring a party or some kind OF foodie event just about every week. (If you work IN an office, this temptation can go on year round with all those birthday AND retirement parties!) SO how do you attend THE festivities without offending your body or your host? Follow these low carb party tips. 3903
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3. BE picky

Just because you¡¯re not eating unhealthful carbs doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re not eating. Most gatherings HAVE something you can indulge on. Look FOR protein ¨C items made from lean, unbreaded meats, poultry AND fish. Cheese is always a good bet (no crackers!) AND goes well with dry red wine (which is perfectly low carb legal). Nuts are another option. AND THE best choice is also very common at parties: veggies AND dip! 9417
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As FOR drinks, avoid sugary punches, egg nog AND anything else that¡¯s sweetened with sugar, honey or liqueurs. But that leaves a whole bar OF low carb options! Drinks made with cola or lemon lime soda can BE decarbed easily with diet versions. Try Diet Coke AND Jack Daniels or vodka AND Diet 7-Up. Rum, vodka, whiskey, brandy AND other no-sugar-added clear liquors are fine, as is dry red wine. 6386

4. Pack

If you¡¯re not sure what THE party will offer IN terms OF food, BE sure TO pack a few portable snacks you can use TO stave off temptation. Think sugar-free chocolate or hard candies, single-serving packages OF nuts, Slim-Jims AND similar meat treats, a bottle OF water, or other low carb edibles. If you¡¯re asked TO bring something TO share, make it healthful: a veggie and dip tray, a bottle OF dry red wine, a fruit AND cheese plate, a platter OF sugar-free cookies, or low carb cheesecake. You¡¯ll BE surprised how grateful people can BE TO find something healthful on THE menu! 338
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Be sure TO get IN some exercise THE day OF THE event ¨C even a little more than usual. Yes, it will help offset any damage you might do TO your diet at THE party. But more than that, it will keep you IN a healthy, energized frame OF mind. If you¡¯re feeling strong AND IN control, you¡¯ll feel up TO THE test OF a few holiday goodies. Plus, if you¡¯ve worked extra hard at some physical activity, you might think twice about negating all that effort FOR THE fleeting moment OF pleasure that a high-carb item gives. 6706
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Other standard responses might include, ¡°No, thanks. I can¡¯t HAVE sugar.¡± Or ¡°Thanks, but I don¡¯t tolerate sweets well.¡± 8709
Some brands OF beer are better than others ¨C if this is your poison, look up carb counts online or at THE store before THE party SO you know which is best TO choose. AND if you do choose an alcoholic beverage, remember TO do SO responsibly AND IN moderation: Drinks not high IN carbs may still BE high IN calories. 5399
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Aunt Violet says, ¡°What do you mean, you¡¯re not eating any OF my special holiday snickerdoodles? I made them just FOR you!¡± You say, ¡°Thank you SO much, Aunt Violet! I know how hard you work on your snickerdoodles, AND they¡¯re THE best! But I¡¯m afraid if I HAVE just one, I¡¯ll eat THE whole plate.¡± 2194
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Low carb soups TO warm your soul 7387
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Visit our online magazine LowCarb FOR more holiday tips AND low carb recipes