10 Ways to Keep Your Dinner Parties Light And Healthy

Parties are supposed to be a time to enjoy being with friends and family. The temptation to over indulge yourself may be high, but with a little planning, your nutritional regimen need not be compromised. So how exactly do you plan a party that doesn’t ruin your waistline? These guidelines can help you make healthy food choices and limit tempting, high calorie foods during the planning and hosting of any party.

MAKE THE FOOD SECONDARY. Instead of throwing a dinner party, how about organizing a spa night, a DVD marathon or a costume party? By focusing on the entertainment rather than the meal, everybody is less likely to overeat. Kurt M. Hong, MD PhD,who holds a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical nutrition, says that people often forget the true reason for celebration. “Concentrate on socializing, making new acquaintances, and having fun,” says Hong. “Spend time conversing with relatives or reminiscing with old friends. Think about what you are celebrating, not just about how great the food is!”

MAKE YOUR BAR WAIST-FRIENDLY. At seven calories per gram, alcohol is pretty fattening (it contains almost twice the amount of calories than a gram of carbohydrates or protein). In fact, a glass of sweet wine or a bottle of beer contain more calories than a single serving of chocolate or a handful of potato chips. Still, many people think nothing of refilling their glasses over and over again at parties. A good way to reduce calories is to provide plenty of non-alcoholic options, such as diet sodas, unsweetened ice tea and seltzer water (add a slice of lemon for an exotic touch). If alcohol is a must, low-carb beer, wine and champagne are the best choices.

THINK SMALL. Rather than cooking a full meal, concentrate on entrees, appetizers and side dishes to give guests the option of having “just a taste.” A lot of snacks made especially for children (mini-crackers, single-serving yogurts and bite-size cookies) can double as finger food if served along with other healthy items, dips or condiments. Even raw veggies can be a hit (and a great alternative to high-fat chips) if served along with salsa, hummus or melted low-fat cream cheese.

MODIFY YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES. If you can’t imagine a party without desserts, consider cooking from scratch and replacing some of the ingredients for healthier alternatives. For example, you can use fruit puree in place of oil when baking, or offer sorbets instead of ice scream cake. The same can be done with your main dishes: beans can replace beef in your chili and grilled veggies (Portobello mushrooms are a favorite because of their meaty texture) make a great substitution dish for French fries. To make the choices even healthier, keep all sauces on separate containers and allow guests to add them as they see fit.

SET UP A BUFFET. According to Margery Lawrence, R.D., chair of the nutrition department at Saint Joseph College in Connecticut, eating from a buffet gives you the choice to fill a plate and then move away from the table. “Don’t just stand there and put food in your mouth directly from the table,” says Lawrence. ”By actually filling the plate, you become more aware of what and how much you’re eating.” Some examples of healthy buffet food include fresh fruit, small cubes of low-fat cheese, Asian-style veggie platters, baked pita triangles and grilled or baked chicken.