Better Eating Tips for the Holidays!

Written by Maureen Murphy Although it’s the season for holiday parties and special meals it’s also the season when many people find themselves gaining an extra 5-7 lbs. from overindulging in sweets, dips, and more. With a few simple tips and modifications your guests will still enjoy the party and their hips will thank you come January!   Simple tips & cooking modifications:

• Serve veggies, pretzels, or baked pita chips for dipping instead of potato chips
• Serve shrimp cocktail and a veggie tray for lighter snacks
• Use low fat or nonfat dairy products to replace higher fat counterparts
• Serve whole grains – breads, rolls, pasta, etc.
• Flavor roasts and vegetables with fresh herbs and a little grated Parmesan cheese instead of butter and/or salt
• Roast meats and poultry on a rack in a roasting pan
• Skip the gravy entirely or at least skim fat off (every tablespoon of fat discarded amounts to 120 calories and 13 grams of fat)
• Use fat free milk or reduced sodium chicken broth when making mashed potatoes, and add garlic and herbs to enhance the flavor
• Season vegetables with herbs, spices, balsamic vinegar and/or lemon juice instead of butter or heavy sauces
• Reduce sugar called for in a recipe by a third
• Substitute an equal amount of applesauce or prune puree for at least half the oil, margarine, or butter in baked good recipes
• Substitute a graham cracker crumb pie crust for the traditional pastry crust, and use half the butter or margarine called for in the crumb crust recipe, adding a little liquid to moisten if too dry
• Have water or diet soda available for guests to choose instead of higher calorie and sugar beverages like alcohol, soda or juice
• Skip dessert and serve fresh fruit for a light end to the meal