Health Headlines

Carb-heavy appetizers, high-fat sweets and calorie-rich drinks are as much of a holiday tradition as spending time with friends and family. Lighten up your next holiday gathering with the following tips:

Be creative. Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for sour cream or mayo in most dip recipes, champagne (or sparkling cider) with frozen berries packs an antioxidant punch, and veggie or fruit trays are a beautiful, nutritious centerpiece.

Think small. Opt for smaller plates and glasses to promote portion control. Keep appetizers small but substantial by offering protein-rich choices like chicken and vegetable skewers or crab stuffed mushrooms.

Pump up the activity. Whenever possible, take the focus off of food by encouraging mingling, dancing and game playing. Not just for the kids, active video games keep your party fun and your guests on their feet. Even a friendly card game away from the buffet table will discourage overindulgence.

Don’t go overboard. Inundating your guests with too much food and drink will put a dent in their diet (and your wallet!). On average, guests will consume 6-8 hors d’oeuvres and 1 drink per hour, so plan accordingly and scale back the totals if your party doesn’t have a set ending time. Also consider keeping desserts in the fridge until the event winds down – your partygoers will be less likely to surrender to their sweet tooth if they’ve already had a hearty meal.