It's that time of year again. You know, when people like me [and you maybe] struggle with keeping the holiday weight gain to a minimum. You may have already worked out a plan to stay under control at the office party, or Thanksgiving dinner. But WebMD.com says that even a night at the movies can add pounds.

The problem is that many of us associate seeing a movie with eating. But look at how much calorie damage just the most common movie treats can cause:

-the typical "small" popcorn, coated with "buttery" topping, has as many calories as a quarter-pound cheeseburger! Actually, that small container has about 600 calories, versus 550 for the cheeseburger. In fact, an average slice of cheesecake has almost 200 calories less! Go for the "large" size popcorn with "buttery" topping, and it's just as calorie-crunching as two large pieces of fried chicken, a cup of mashed potatoes, and a 16-ounce "regular" soda!

So what's the secret to not going overboard at the movies? Just like when you go food shopping, eat at home first. If nothing else, you're more likely to have something healthy to snack on. Nutritionist Molly Kimball notes, "I always emphasize what the point of the event is. It's about going to the movies, it's about entertainment, not necessarily food."

(WebMD.com)

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