(West Islip, NY) – Everyone loves holiday cooking—pies, cookies and other festive treats. Unfortunately, the effects of indulging in large portions are not as pleasant and can add inches to your waistline. In addition to adding unwanted pounds, overeating puts a strain on vital organs such as your heart, liver and kidneys. Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center’s Clinical Dietitian Cathy Davis, RD, suggests some helpful tips on how to avoid overindulging to make your holidays healthy and enjoyable.

· Spend time playing games and other activities instead of snacking

· Avoid the temptation of making eating an all-day affair

· Eat slowly

· Prepare heart-healthy recipes, in addition to rich treats

After the holidays, make it a priority to eat healthy and make the right food choices. The new USDA icon, “MyPlate”, emphasizes the fruit, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy food groups. It was designed to encourage Americans to choose their meals wisely in view of achieving good health.

“Reorienting Americans toward ‘smart’ calories as opposed to ‘empty’ calories in their dietary choices will have a major impact in our battle against obesity and its long-term health hazards,” commented Good Samaritan’s Chief of Cardiology Larry Altschul, MD.

Remember, all foods can be incorporated into a healthy meal plan, but the key to success is moderation. For more information on Good Samaritan’s cardiology services, please call (631) 376-4444 or visit www.good-samaritan-hospital.org.