Let's face it. Food and festivities go hand in hand. Consequently, many people like to indulge during the holidays. If you want to treat yourself and your family to tasty recipes that are not loaded with fat and calories, try blending traditional family expectations with an enLIGHTened approach. It's all about substituting smartly and balancing high fat goodies with low-fat foods. Here are some tips to help you do that.

• Cook light-colored meats for leaner eats. White meat has less fat and fewer calories than dark meat. Remove the skin before eating; it contains the majority of fat and calories.
• Don't let the stuffing stuff you. When making dressing, choose bread crumbs that are not butter-basted, or try wild or brown rice. You also can replace half the fat in stuffing with chicken broth. To reduce calories by 80 percent, bake dressing in an ovenproof bowl, instead of in turkey, about thirty minutes before serving time.
• Dress the veggies; don't drown them. Season steamed, fresh or frozen vegetables with herbs and low-calorie margarine or lemon juice instead of creamy sauces or butter.
• Avoid biscuits. Fill your bread basket with whole-wheat rolls or bread sticks instead of biscuits, buttery white rolls or croissants.
• Try some pie. Pumpkin or fruit pies have 50 percent fewer calories than pecan pies. Also, baked sweet potatoes are a lighter alternative to candied yams.
• Don't go nuts. No one will notice if you use half the amount of nuts called for in a recipe.
• Substitutes are slimmer. Replace cream with evaporated (try skim) milk and use fat-free sour cream. Fat-free mayonnaise works well in recipes, also.
• Take it easy on the eggnog. Spritzers, mineral water or club soda mixed with low-calorie cranberry (or other juice) and hot mulled cider are great low-calorie companions to a light holiday feast. 

  Keep in mind that the holidays are about enjoying yourself. Don't feel guilty if you eat more than you planned. Tomorrow is another day, and you can make a point to eat less and exercise more. A motivator always helps. For example, make a promise to give yourself a non-food reward for maintaining your weight during the holidays.