With holiday parties in full swing, it's easy to lose control of calories. Seasonal favorites like tamales, eggnog and pumpkin pie are tempting treats loaded with calories. As you approach the buffet table at your next festivity, keep in mind these party picks from Tamyra Rogers, M.D., medical director of the Methodist Center for Metabolic Health and Fitness at Northeast Methodist Hospital:

• Instead of sweet wines, egg nog, punch, and alcoholic drinks with sugary mixes, try wine spritzers, light beer, mineral water or club soda with lime.
• Instead of high fat cold cuts, pate, sausage balls and Swedish meatballs, try lean sliced turkey and roast beef.
• Instead of high fat cheeses, such as cream cheese, cheddar, brie and Colby, try lower fat cheeses such as provolone, Neufchatel, Swiss and Monterrey jack.
• Instead of potato chips, corn chips, tortilla chips, salted nuts and caramel corn, try flatbreads, pretzels, plain popcorn, bread sticks and low-fat cereal mixes.
• Instead of fruit cake, brownies, fudge, pies, butter cookies and frosted sugar cookies, try gingerbread, angel food cake, fresh fruits, and hard candy.