With the holidays here, there are lots of parties and social gatherings that involve food. Many appetizers are loaded with calories and fat, such as spinach artichoke dip, which is over 50 calories per 2 tablespoons and chicken wings that are 100 calories per wing (see labels below). If you are trying to save calories this holiday season, here are some ideas on how to make your appetizers appealing but low calorie.
Offer veggie wraps: Wrap heated, crumbled veggie burgers, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, chopped roasted peppers and your favorite low-fat dressing in flavored tortillas. Slice the tortillas into bite-sized pieces and hold them together with toothpicks.
Make a fruit platter with fat-free yogurt mixed with Splenda and include assorted fruits.
Serve hummus with homemade whole grain bagel chips. Slice bagels diagonally into thin pieces. Lay on a cookie sheet and apply a bit of cooking spray. Bake in a 400° oven until brown and crisp.
Serve individual pizzas on English muffins. Top with salsa or pizza sauce, vegetables, and shredded low-fat cheese.
Put out a variety of baked tortilla or corn chips, and serve with salsa.
Offer shrimp cocktail which is low calorie and appealing.
Spread rice cakes or low-fat crackers with fat-free cream cheese; top with thinly sliced cucumber and tomato.
Serve vegetable and fruit kabobs. Spear mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, pineapple chunks and cherry tomatoes on bamboo skewers.
Bake pita bread, cut into triangle-shaped wedges, until crispy. Serve with salsa, bean dip or fruit chutney. Or for a sweet treat, use a bit of cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
Next week I will be giving some ideas for healthier holiday entrees.
Rebecca
