It's the season to binge and let no one tell you otherwise! Nutritionist and health advocate Rujuta Diwekar says, because eating is a social act, it brings people together. "Love, joy and laughter are shared over a meal, grudges are forgotten and bonds renewed. It also reconnects us to our roots, culture and tradition. A person who leads a disciplined life through the year, knows that festivals and occasional indulgences are not a hindrance but an intrinsic part of a meaningful life."

Diwekar suggests you start with a change in mindset, focussing on building long-term healthy habits rather than figuring a quick fix to slip into an LBD. And don't be guilty about a meal if it has led to a good conversation, rapturous laughter or closing a business deal. "The key is to take life one mouthful at a time and relish it. Eat with an open heart and mind and stop when you are still a little hungry. The best way to train the mind is to pay attention to what you are eating, irrespective of the time of the year," she says. Because she doesn't see being healthy and eating at loggerheads, she says it is all about being smart with choices during the festive season.