Your Christmas Cookie Survival Guide

Don't beat yourself up over a cookie or two. Indulgence is fun for a reason, and a day or two of binging won't have you looking like Mrs. Claus.

"If there's something or a day where you really want to indulge, you might be willing to do a little extra activity to make up for it," says Sandra Carpenter, RD, Senior Program Manager for Weight Management and Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

You don't have to spend all winter on a treadmill, though. Use these strategies to satisfy your cravings without overdoing it.

1. Satisfy What You're Really Craving

Don't let magazines or naysayers tell you that certain flavors and textures are complete no-nos, says Devon Metz, founder of Fit Health Into Life in Boulder, Colorado.

"You could love chocolate, but think you can't eat it. You might eat 20 oatmeal cookies and not be satisfied because there's no chocolate fix," she says. "If you're in touch with what flavors you really want, you'll satisfy that craving and eat less."

Fantasize about food a little and discover what you really love—is it chewy? Crispy? Chocolate? Fruit?

"Stick to the ones that are satisfying, and eat them slowly," Metz says. Savor the flavors you enjoy, and give your body time to let you know it's satisfied.

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