Let the holiday parties begin! The season will bring with it a whirlwind of parties and festivities – and lots of food. What would a party be without a table of appetizers to nibble on while you make conversation? But it’s all too easy to get distracted at holiday celebrations and make unhealthy choices.
Appetizers are so tiny, how much damage could they do? Looks are deceiving when it comes to holiday appetizers. Even appetizers that look small can pack a lot of calories when they’re deep-fried or loaded with cream cheese. That’s why you’ll need to do some detective work before putting these high-calorie party foods in your mouth. It’s even better if you’re making the appetizers so you can control the ingredients. Here are some tips for enjoying holiday appetizers without the after-holiday weight gain.
Limit Yourself to One Trip to the Appetizer Station
People get themselves into trouble by mindlessly swinging by the appetizer table multiple times to grab another bite. Those “bites” add up. Don’t be a serial nibbler. Choose a small plate, and fill it up one time. Pace yourself so the appetizers on your plate last. Spend more time talking and less time chewing. After all, isn’t the point of the party to socialize? Like free samples at the grocery store, some people subconsciously see free food and small nibbles as calorie-free. Remind yourself that they’re not.
Be an Appetizer Detective
Appetizers don’t come with calorie counts and nutritional information posted on them, so you have to play detective. Avoid appetizers that are fried, made with cream cheese and anything wrapped in a layer of pastry. Other holiday appetizers that are usually too high in calories include bite-sized quiches, small pizzas, nachos, chunks of hard cheese and anything wrapped in bacon. Watch out for sauces and dips too. Many are mayonnaise-based and deceptively high in calories.
Skip the high-calorie nibbles, and look for steamed shrimp, olives, fruit and nuts to grace your appetizer plate. You’ll actually get some nutritional benefit from these foods. But be careful with the nuts. Their salty taste makes them addictive. For sauces, look for salsa, hummus and bean dips. They’re not only lower in calories and fat than dips made with mayonnaise, but they also have health benefits. Salsa is rich in heart-healthy lycopenes, and hummus and bean dips are a good source of appetite-suppressing fiber.
If You’re Making the Appetizers
If you’re hosting the party, you have control over what goes into the appetizers. By making a few substitutions, you can turn decadent appetizers into ones you won’t feel guilty for eating – or serving. Try some of these calorie-reducing tips:
Substitute light cream cheese for regular, and use low-fat or fat-free sour cream.
To make bacon-wrapped shrimp, substitute low-fat turkey bacon for pork bacon.
Make all of your appetizers with low-fat mayonnaise. Low-fat mayonnaise has only 15 calories per tablespoon compared to 90 for regular mayo, a significant calorie savings.
Serve whole-grain crackers instead of ones made with processed flour.
For recipes that call for eggs, use egg whites instead.
Make a big fruit bowl, and serve nuts and olives. You’re not the only one watching your waistline.
Don’t nibble on the appetizers while you’re making them.
The Bottom Line?
Use these tips to successfully navigate through the appetizer minefield this holiday season. It means you’ll have to do fewer sit-ups and runs on the treadmill to repair the damage.
Related Articles By Cathe:
5 Ways to Avoid Overeating at Holiday Parties
5 Healthy Holiday Superfoods to Enjoy
7 Holiday Exercise Survival Tips
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The Eight Healthiest Holiday Food Favorites
