Sometimes, being the host or hostess can be the best thing for your diet. It is a great excuse to spend money on all those great, healthy foods that you usually consider a splurge. It also puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes to what will be served and what will not. If you are trying to lose weight, there is no better place to be when it comes to a party.
With bathing suit season on the way, your guests may just thank you for using some of these tips to throwing a healthier party:
Beverages
A modest supply of fruit juices is always a great idea.
Unsweetened Iced Tea with a choice of sugar or Splenda for sweetener.
Consider diet soft drinks like Crystal Light and diet ginger ale for a punch. If you dress it up with frozen strawberries, nobody will care that it is sugar free.
Dinner
With the weather getting warmer, it is time to dust off the grill and grill your meats. Marinated chicken breasts are an excellent option.
If you must serve hot dogs, consider serving kosher, all-beef franks. They have very little junk and taste great.
If you are serving pasta, consider light sauces instead of the cream based sauces.
Steamed or stir fried vegetables are a great side dish. Consider making vegetable kebabs with tomatoes, zucchini, sweet potato, onion and peppers.
If you want to go Mexican, consider using low-carb flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas. They are loaded with fiber and lots of protein.
Skip the mashed potatoes and go with baked potatoes or baked sweet potatoes. Have light sour cream, salsa, and a butter flavored seasoning for people to choose from to add to their potato.
Serve whole grain breads or rolls instead of white. They’re healthier and the fiber will fill up your guests.
Dessert
If you must bake your world famous cheesecake, consider using Splenda instead of sugar. It won’t make it totally calorie free but it will ease your mind a bit.
Serve sorbet, light ice cream or no sugar added ice cream.
Consider a fruit tart made with light whipped cream and fresh fruit.
Skip the pie and serve an apple crisp or cherry cobbler made with light pie filling.
Just remember, it doesn’t matter if your guests notice that you’ve lightened the menu. What matters is that you know you can enjoy your refreshment worry free.