Today is my birthday! Yahoo!

Although I wish my birthday could be a month long event, I don’t think my body would be up for 30 days of non-stop fun. (Plus, my friend Scotty would have a heart attack “because you only get one day for your birthday.” What a buzz kill! 🙂 ) So when I do get to celebrate my one, very special day of birth I want to have my cake, but stay healthy too! This is the best present you can give yourself, right??

Here are 5 tips for a celebratory day without the guilt:

1. Plan Ahead: Knowing that I was going to be doing a bit of celebrating come the end of the week, I have been packing healthy lunches every day and cooking in to prepare for a “splurge” evening. I brought a fruit as a midday snack so I don’t get to the restaurant feeling ravenous. Healthy eating takes some strategy and planning, but the end result is worth it!

2. Be Food Smart: I checked the menu out at the restaurant I will be dining at and have my eye on a nice salad and halibut. Looking at the menu ahead of time reduces panic order syndrome and you will be less likely to peruse the menu for a different less healthy option. Prepare yourself to forego the table snack. Usually this will involve chips or bread, but skipping the dinner teaser can save you 100 to 300 calories. No need to eat before we eat!

3. Strike a Balance: I am not going to sit here and tell you that I will only be eating a carrots and drinking water all night long. It is realistic to indulge when celebrating your birthday but, of course, portion control is key. A celebration can still be had sans 5-course meal and with some greens in site. A cocktail is welcome and water is too, so stay healthfully hydrated. To-go boxes are not a sin on birthdays!

4. A Little Sweetness Goes a Long Way: A birthday without cake? Now that sounds like the other 364 days of the year! I don’t have a huge sweet tooth, but your birthday is one of those days that something in the dessert realm is a welcoming thought. Treating yourself to a sugary fix doesn’t mean your healthy habits are doomed. Consider having a fruit sorbet, sharing one dessert with the table or enjoy a healthy homemade delight when you arrive back home. Whatever you choose to do, when you blow out your candles pat yourself on the back for your night of healthy choices!

5. Get Up and Party: Lucky for me I live in a city where walking around is part of my day-to-day life, so a short trot to and from dinner is inevitable. But a little night dancing never hurts a party! Burn off the birthday calories with an after dinner walk, a little bit of Wii Fit with the family or a living room dance party. Birthdays are much more than eating and drinking. Get moving!

Whether you are turning 26 or 55 a birthday bash surrounded by laughter and loved ones is always in order, but it needn’t be at the expense of your healthy lifestyle.  So when your birthday comes along I hope it’s full of indulgence and spoils while also being wholesome and nutritious.

First published on DashofWellness.com

The views expressed in this article intend to highlight alternative studies and induce conversation. They are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Technorella, and are for informational purposes only, even if and to the extent that this article features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.