The holidays are a time for gatherings of all types and with those gatherings comes some savory foods.

Holiday foods are always delicious but oftentimes challenge the health-conscious eater. Caitlin Mellendorf at the University of Illinois Extension offices in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties says to consider how you approach food all year and offer fruit or vegetable options in the buffet of choices.

Mellendorf says while it's good to be conscious about your diet and eating habits, it is not a bad thing to partake in that recipe that you enjoy that only comes around this time of the year.

The holiday guilt of eating a meal that perhaps wasn't planned or went against the diet we've set out for ourselves can be emotionally problematic. Mellendorf encourages sorting through your feelings on why you feel guilty for eating those snacks or meals that you think you shouldn't have.

Generally, Mellendorf points the public to the U of I Extension's website for more helpful tips but she says the website is currently under renovation so in the meantime, find the DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt County Extension offices on Facebook where they are flowing a lot of good information to lately.