It’s that time of year, when eating at social events like parties, receptions and family gatherings pose a challenge to your heart-healthy eating style. Since you can’t control what is served, you may feel that you have no choice but to eat foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Here are some tips that will help you to stick to a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet:

• At a buffet, look ahead in line to see what low saturated fat, low cholesterol foods are available. Fill up on low-fat foods and take only small servings of high-fat foods.
• Bring a dish low in saturated fat, fat, and cholesterol to a pot luck dinner. That way, you’ll have at least one heart healthy item from which to choose.
• At parties, focus on activities rather than eating. Sit away from the area where the food is being served so you won’t be tempted to overeat.
• Ask for help from your family and friends who know you are following a cholesterol-lowering diet. See if they will include some low saturated fat, low cholesterol dishes on the menu at gatherings.
• Have a few ready answers to politely say no to high-fat foods. For example, “Thank you, but I couldn’t eat another bite — everything was delicious.”

If you do eat too many high fat foods at a social event, don’t feel guilty. Just eat lightly the next day and get back on track.

Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

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