Local Nutrition Expert Shares Simple Tips to Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

The holidays are here, and with them come endless temptations—from cookie platters to cocktail parties. But one local expert says staying on track doesn't have to mean missing out on the fun.

Nutrition expert Marly is helping shoppers at Jensen's in Palm Desert navigate the season with free advice on reading nutrition labels and making smarter choices at the table.

Her biggest tip? Don't let one indulgent day turn into a downward spiral. "If you have a bad day, don't let it snowball into a bad week," Marly says. "Get back on a healthy diet the next day."

She also recommends being mindful of liquid calories at holiday gatherings—cocktails can lead to extra grazing on foods you'd normally skip. And when in doubt? "You can't go wrong with vegetables—vitamins, nutrients, fiber."

Walking before and after meals can help offset heavier eating, she adds.

With obesity rates continuing to climb nationwide, Marly hopes these simple habits will help Valley residents build routines that last well beyond the holiday season.

Reported by Kai Beech for NBC Palm Springs.