The holidays are here! Do you have a holiday party or two to
attend? Maybe a few work gatherings? Lots of food, drink, and fun to fill your
day and bring some added variety to the week! However, does your stomach start
to constrict with a slight increase of anxiety wondering how you will be able
to indulge but not wreak havoc to your waistline, sleep, skin, and more? Do
holiday party invites inspire you to cook that new, healthy dish on Pinterest,
but you won’t have time to actually make it? Don’t know what to
cook, bring, or eat? I can provide quick easy solutions to many of these questions
and more to help you maintain your health and culinary adventures, without
adding hours to your weekend in the kitchen.
Whether hosting or attending a party, below are some tips to
ensure your health needs are met without sacrificing your guests' needs:
Hosting:
o
Include a variety of healthy menu items to
please all palates. Focus on vegetable sides, but also include one or two
hearty, creamy dishes and some meat appetizers. Dips, fruit based desserts and
one chocolate or more savory dessert can round out the menu.
o
Consider serving bean-based dips like hummus and
spicy black bean dip or olive and/or pepper-based dips like tapenade.
o
Offer non-alcoholic options such as sparkling water
with cucumber and mint, low sugar sparkling fruit juice or tea infusion juices.
Kombucha is a fun alternative as
well.
o
Prepare what you can days in advance to avoid relying
on processed foods. Chop your vegetables along with dinner prep one night and
store them in the refrigerator. Make your dips a day or two in advance. Even
cook one weekend prior to the party and freeze the dish. Make sure you choose
one that stands up well in the freezer.
o
Look to ethnic foods for fun alternatives such
as roasted chickpeas, mini-sushi rolls, beans and olive oil based sides, and
smoked fish.
o
Incorporate chia
seeds into desserts. Chia seed and almond milk with cinnamon make a tasty
and unique textured alternative to traditional puddings.
Attending:
Attending:
o
The tips for hosting can also be applied to
attending. Your host might even appreciate the unique item you bring versus the
typical potato chips and ranch dip.
o
Need recipe ideas? Try one of these…
o
Don't cook? But dreading what to bring? Don't
rely on the conventional. Use the opportunity to share the health alternatives
you may be trying.
o
Below are
substitution suggestions for typical holiday potluck items.
§
Pita chips vs. Ruffles
§
Hummus, pestos, bean or veggie dips vs. Ranch
dip and processed cheese dips
§
Gourmet cheeses and tapenades vs. cheese logs
§
Prosciutto and asparagus spears vs. pigs in a
blanket
§
Spicy baked chicken or mini meatballs vs. fried
chicken tenders
§
Artesian bread vs. packaged yeast rolls
§
Chocolate dipped fruit vs.
packaged cookies.
You have arrived at the party! How can you navigate the
party in order to focus on socializing versus what you will eat?
- Move, move, move! Change your position at the party. Don't just sit in one spot. Mingle. Dance!
- Always have a glass of water in your hand. Take sips in between bites. Drink some water before you sip that eggnog, sugary beverage, or wine.
- Accept that you will have one or two full plates, a dessert and two drinks. Determine what your limit will be. Allow yourself to enjoy and indulge just in moderation. Going into a partying denying yourself all the fun sets you up for sabotage and it often leads to overeating later on once you have had a few drinks.
- Eat before you go. Having a light, fiber rich snack will help you choose more wisely at the buffet table. An hour before the party, enjoy an apple with peanut butter or a cup of lentil or minestrone soup. Try washing that down with a glass of milk for added satisfaction.
Remember, the party is about unwinding with friends, making
new friends, and sharing good food without producing a lot of guilt. You can
enjoy your traditional comfort foods and enjoy some new ones by incorporating a
variety on your holiday plate. After all, you may have another party just
around the corner!
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