How do they do it?

By Lygia Barnett

From champagne-fuelled launches to premieres, every day is a diet minefield in celebrity land. Here are their secrets to staying slim without becoming a hermit.

Drew Barrymore

Torn between eating whatever you feel like and fitting into your skinny jeans? Here\'s a thought from Drew Barrymore: "I\'d rather be a few pounds heavier and enjoy life." If your BMI is within the healthy average, a slice of pudding and an extra plate of turkey isn\'t going to hurt.

Jennifer Garner

Can\'t say no to dessert? Instead of depriving yourself completely, why not take the Jennifer Garner approach to portion control? "At every meal I pretty much have dessert, but not a lot, just one little square of chocolate," says the super-fit mum.

Scarlett Johansson

"I\'m a big lazeball. I sit around all day and eat prosciutto and drink Bellinis. That\'s my diet," says the proud-to-be-curvy Scarlett Johansson. Sounds like the perfect way to spend the holidays, but if you are partial to a few champagne cocktails, minimise the hangover by taking a B vitamin prior to drinking. Don\'t forget to rehydrate with sparkling mineral water and a dash of lemon.

Rachel Bilson

Snack on the go and always have something healthy on hand, says actress Rachel Bilson. "I get so grumpy if I don\'t eat... I always have things in my purse. I\'ll be at a party and I\'ll have an apple in my bag or cookies or crackers." Choose low-GI breakfast bars (check the sugar content), dry roasted almonds, goji berries or sugar-free sweets. 

Gywneth Paltrow

If you want to control your diet over the holiday season take a leaf out of Gywneth Paltrow\'s book and play head chef. "I really love to cook. Breads and pizzas is what I\'m cooking and we all love it. We have a wood-burning pizza oven in our garden," says Gwyneth. For a casual get-together, top healthy homemade pizzas with rare beef, baby spinach leaves, caramelised red onion and bocconcini. Serve roasted sweet potato wedges.

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes believes that good health and the holidays can go hand-in-hand. "My parents are very healthy. We go running on Thanksgiving - I mean, what family does that? It has to be before the big turkey dinner. My dad is really ambitious and makes us all go." A New Year\'s Eve gym session or a brisk walk on Christmas morning are a great way to clear your head for the day or night ahead. Take a football to your Christmas day celebration, for an in-between-meals kick.

Charlize Theron

Avoid the post-meal energy slump by restricting your portions of high-calorie foods. "I\'m careful to eat a healthy balance of foods, but I eat six small meals a day. If I fancy a burger, rather than deprive myself I\'ll eat a quarter of one," says Charlize Theron. Downsize your portions by eating from a smaller plate and say no to chips, processed meat and creamy sauces and yes to salads and veg.

Tyra Banks

A self-confessed foodie, Tyra Banks has an ‘everything in moderation\' rule. "I love food and feel that it is something that should be enjoyed. I eat whatever I want. I just don\'t overeat." Avoid that too-full feeling this Christmas by taking smaller portions and balancing carbs, protein and vegetables. Diets don\'t work, but eating a variety of fresh produce does. 

Kristin Davis

"My main issue is to never let myself get too hungry. I make sure I eat every three hours or so, mostly proteins, good carbs, veggies and salads," says Sex And The City star Kristin Davis, who also abstains from drinking alcohol - one of the biggest causes of mindless bingeing and holiday weight gain. 

Elle MacPherson

When it comes to a model fitness plan, consistency is key. "I try to put aside an hour a day, five days a week, to do some sort of physical exercise, whether it\'s Pilates or running in the park. But with two young children I don\'t always get that time," says supermodel Elle MacPherson. If you skip a day, don\'t beat yourself up, just channel that energy into your next session.

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