Many holiday parties, celebrations, and gatherings center around food. While some of the food dishes are healthy, many are indulgences, typically resulting overeating -- and that uninvited holiday weight gain.

Dr. Dean Ornish, author of six books and clinical professor offers a few tips to make healthy food choices over the holidays.

1. Arrive to the party with something on your stomach. If you're starving when you get to the party, you're more likely to devour everything you lay your eyes on and can get your hands on.
2. Don't be the first to arrive at the party. If you arrive to the party at bit late, chances are some of the goodies will be gone. Of course, there's a balancing act here because you don't want to offend your host by arriving more than "fashionably late".
3. Watch your intake of spirits. Alcohol can impair your judgment, possibly causing you to make the wrong food choices or overeat.
4. Watch sauces and toppings. Sauces and toppings can be loaded with calories. Be skimpy with the sauces and toppings, or replace fattening sauces like gravy, with cranberries.
5. Eat slowly. Take your time and savor each bite. In between bites, talk with guests or take sips of water.
6. Watch out for desserts. Just like the sauces and toppings, desserts can be the downfall for some individuals. Hopefully, your party has bite-sized or mini desserts, but if not, ask to share a dessert with your companion.

For more ways to ward off gaining pounds during the holiday, check out the below resource.