With the Memorial Day holiday fast approaching, I got to thinking about how to contain the hungry monster inside me as family and friends gather together.

Usually, I try to starve myself beforehand so I can let go a little at events. Unfortunately, letting go sometimes means eating too much potato salad, way too many chips and a nice slice of cake to boot.

So this year, I decided to be a little more proactive to prevent an eating explosion. I found some really good tips on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' site for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The placement makes sense because overeating can definitely be an emotional issue.

The Healthy Holiday Eating guide advises eating a snack or small meal before heading to an event. It also advises eating slowly and staying away from the buffet table. Check out the complete list .

Happy Memorial Day!

-- Amanda Barrett