IT begins with a single mince pie and glass of mulled wine, but before you know it the season of overindulgence has you in its grip and your body is fighting the consequences.

Office parties, family get-togethers and assorted social engagements tempt even the most determined party pooper.

Every year you say it will be different -- you won't eat too much and you won't drink too much. But as soon as the party season gets under way all those good intentions go out of the window.

But it need not be like that. You can stay healthy without missing out on festive fun by watching what you eat and drink, and following a six-point plan issued by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance, which provides 24 hour health advice lines staffed by nurses.

"Our bodies need time to recover from any excessive strain placed on them," said health advice manager and registered general nurse Marian Speirs.

"Be it sport, a long journey or gluttonous over indulgence, the key to staying well is having a recovery period and taking in the essential nutrients our bodies need to survive."

Hotelier John Jenkinson, of Evesham Hotel, Waterside, said: "A Christmas dinner with turkey is quite healthy anyway, because the meat is fat free."

He also said that he found energetic Christmas parties were a good way of avoiding over indulgence.

"What people want to do at Christmas is relax and forget about all the strains and stresses of work and perhaps personal problems.

"If office staff can see their boss dressed up as a camel or something like that, it brings them down to their level and helps everyone relax. It's also a lot of fun too."

Health charities are keen to keep people eating healthily too and the Stroke Association has even produced a special Christmas Day menu.

It includes favourites such as roast turkey and Christmas pudding, and recommends "a glass of wine or two" along with fish, orange juice, nuts and fruit (all of which may protect against stroke).

Nicola Ryan, from the Stroke Association, said: "Studies show the best way to stay healthy is to eat a diet high in fruit and vegetables but low in fat and salt.

"Experts recommend we eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Even one piece of fruit is good for you, in fact it can lower your risk of stroke by around six per cent."

Despite the warnings, the chances are that you will still over-indulge at some point over the festive season, but that will at least give you one New Year's resolution - to adopt a healthier lifestyle in 2003. Cheers!

For further information on stroke prevention contact the Stroke Association's regional office on 0845 3033100.