Making It Through the Holidays Healthfully.

The season may be filled with more chaos, cookies, and crankiness, but keeping one's health a high priority will go a long way toward helping people get through feeling great. There are numerous things that individuals can do to keep their health in focus, suggests Jennifer Scherer, owner of Fredericksburg (Va.) Fitness Studio.

Swap ingredients. "Make healthy swaps for certain ingredients in holiday dishes. For instance, instead of using sour cream, you can swap it for plain Greek yogurt. Put together a fancy charcuterie board filled with fresh veggies, fruits, and hummus, so that there is something healthy and filling to snack on. Focus on making healthy versions of traditional holiday dishes. Instead of green bean casserole, try sauteed green beans with almonds. Many options exist, so have fun taking on the challenge to make it a healthier holiday meal."

Portion control. "Having smaller portions of your meals will help keep things under control, especially when being invited to several holiday parties. Opting for small portions of their favorite foods will keep people from feeling like they are missing...