Heart Healthy Entertaining

Tips for Your Next Holiday Party

Some holiday traditions are hard to break. Filling your table with family and friends’ favorite (aka high-calorie) foods is one of them. But this year, you can set change in motion by hosting a party that remains true to your healthy convictions.

Mary Lou Perry, registered dietitian with Club Red Clinic and the University of Virginia Heart and Vascular Center, says, despite assumptions, it is possible to prepare a healthy holiday spread without spending a fortune or disappointing your guests. The first rule to follow: de-emphasize the eats.

 “Often we think the holiday party is all about the food, but it isn’t,” Perry says. “It’s about the people and the celebration.”

6 Steps to Host a Heart-Healthy, Budget-Friendly Party:

1. Do away with dinner.

Host a tasting party and encourage guests to try just a little taste of a variety of dishes prepared by you and other guests. “All it takes is three bites for you to experience a food completely,” says Perry. Another option: stick to appetizers and desserts and eliminate the main course.

2. Make fruits/vegetables half of the spread.

Meat, grains, sweets and all else should make up the other half. Serve veggies with low-fat dips instead of crackers, make a fresh fruit salad, fill candy dishes with dried fruits, and try new ways to prepare your favorite produce.

3. Steer clear of the eggnog.

This holiday favorite has 350 calories in just a tiny serving. Instead, offer low-calorie drinks like wine spritzers, or avoid alcohol altogether.

4. Make substitutions no one will notice.

Research your recipes to determine if there are healthy substitutions for ingredients like butter (applesauce) and heavy cream (milk and cornstarch). Click here for more examples.

5. Avoid processed foods.

6. Pick a theme to encourage more moving and less munching.

Smart Goal: When the party is over, send leftovers home with guests so there is no temptation for you.