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