Living the keto lifestyle never stops Desiree DiLorenzo from enjoying herself at a holiday party. No matter how many cakes, cookies, pies and other sugar-laden foods grace a table, she’s prepared.

“I plan ahead,” says DiLorenzo, a personal trainer. “I always bring something along with me, even if I’m not asked to bring anything. It’s a gesture to thank the host and at least there will be something there I can eat.”

DiLorenzo’s favorite bring-along party food? “A spinach artichoke dip,” she says. “It falls into the ketogenic category, and I can eat it with a fork or with veggies while others dip their chips.” She finds that cheese-and-meat platters, as well as meat-and-cheese roll-ups, also work well.

Sticking to the Keto Diet

Researchers have found that most Americans gainabout a pound during the holidays...and never lose it. Over time, those pounds add up.

Sugary treats and other high-carb holiday choices make this goal more than a little challenging at the end of the year. That’s especially true if you follow the keto diet, in which fats and protein predominate, and carbohydrate is held to a minimum.

Whether you’re on a keto diet or simply trying to manage your weight, planning ahead is key.

“A lot of people go to parties unprepared, and then they turn it into a free-for-all,” says Joshua Carter ofCarter Fitness in West Hills, California. “Then that one ‘cheat’ day turns into a month of cheat days. It’s fine to use a party situation as a pre-planned cheat day and part of your overall plan, but get in your workout and get back to your normal eating pattern as soon as possible.”

In party situations, Carter suggests that people generally stick with meat and vegetables.

“Keep it pretty basic, maybe some salad. But stay away from high carbs with fat, like mashed potatoes with gravy and butter. As for office holiday parties, have your favorite protein bars or other ‘allowable’ foods on hand so you’re not tempted by treats.”

“Unless your host is doing keto, it’s best to check in a day or two ahead of time to see what’s on the menu,” says registered dietitianJenn Fillenworth, MS, RD. “And bring a keto-friendly dish so that you know you have at least one thing you can snack on.”

Meats, fish and poultry are fine unless they’re prepared with breading or flour, says Fillenworth. “Stay near the cheese tray, and butter and oil-type offerings, which make it easy to get in your fat servings.”

Surprisingly, gravy can also be a carb source and should be avoided, says Fillenworth.

“Gravy contains flour to form a roux (a thickener of butter and flour). If you’re doing the entertaining, make your own gravy by using a non-carbohydrate thickener like xanthan gum.”

Preparation starts before you leave the house.

“Eat something before you go,” saysCarol Aguirre, MS, RD/LDN. “You don’t want to arrive hungry and then spend the next two hours staring at crackers, chips, cake and eggnog.”

Aguirre suggests these foods as portable, keto-friendly options for traveling or bringing to parties: biscotti (made with almond flour), grilled portobello mushrooms, creamed spinach, roasted broccoli, roasted brussels sprouts, roasted turkey, roasted lamb.

If you’re unsure of the carb content of certain foods, Aguirre suggests using one of the widely available apps, such asMyFitnessPal, that tell you exactly what is in a specific item.

And don’t worry about staying 100% on track. “If there is a tray of delightful cheese making the rounds, don’t feel bad for trying a new brand. The trick to beating the holidays, keto style, is to know what you’re saying yes to, by making smart and knowledgeable choices,” Aguirre notes.

What about pushy party hosts? “The best thing to do at a party or function is to say thank you, accept and keep talking,” says Aguirre. “Chances are, they won’t even notice if you don’t drink their eggnog.”

If the negative voice inside your head is the problem, Carter suggests reframing your thoughts.

“It’s a mental mindshift. So shift any thoughts of deprivation of ‘I can’t eat this or that’ to ‘I get to eat this way.’ Being healthy and happy is worth it.”

Taking a Break from Keto

If you find it too difficult and would like to deviate from your diet, Aguirre advises doing it wisely.

“Know your trigger foods that may make you overeat dramatically and stay clear of those,” she says. Also avoid foods you know make you feel worse the next day. For many people that includes alcohol and wheat.

And lastly, have a plan for when and how you will restart keto.

“Just know that some people might experience a bit of a ‘keto flu’ when re-adjusting, but if you’ve been keto for a while then that readjustment period is often just one day,” says Aguirre.

“In the end,” Aguirre adds, “not obsessing about your diet and learning how your body reacts to different foods, keto and non-keto, will help you live a healthier and more fulfilled life.”