Healthy party food is gaining popularity as people become more health-conscious. Nuts, seeds, hummus, fruits, vegetables, and sandwiches made with healthy ingredients are good options. Whole wheat bread, low-fat cheese, and olive oil-based mayonnaise can be used to make sandwiches. Low-fat sour cream and onion soup mix can be used as a dip.
As more people become aware of the need to improve their overall health, the idea of a healthy party meal has gained more attention. Traditionally, party foods are simple foods loaded with fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. For people using the diet to control diabetes, lower cholesterol levels, or prevent clogged arteries, the buffet table at a party can be a dangerous place. Healthy party food can include nuts and seeds, hummus and bread, fruits and vegetables, and even sandwiches made with healthy ingredients.
Not all party foods need to be deep-fried or loaded with saturated fat. In fact, a healthy party food doesn’t have to be cooked at all and contains only unsaturated fat. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts are excellent choices for the healthy buffet table. They provide a good amount of nutrients, are less likely to raise bad cholesterol levels, and are easily digested. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are also great options. Choose the unsalted versions for an even healthier approach.
Many common party dips contain a high amount of fat and carbohydrates, making them out of reach for people with specific health concerns in mind. Instead of bean dip, make a batch of hummus. The basic recipe calls for chickpeas and a little lemon juice. If an oil is preferred over lemon juice, opt for a relatively heart-healthy option like olive oil or peanut oil. Add spices like garlic powder, salt, and a bit of pepper and blend all ingredients together in a food processor. Instead of corn or tortilla chips, serve the hummus with toasted whole wheat triangles and celery sticks. Decorate the presentation with some black olives and the hummus will be very attractive.
Cut up fruits and vegetables also make healthy snacks. Create a platter comprised of red and green grapes, orange slices, apple slices dipped in lemon juice, and fresh kiwi slices. Complement the fruit platter with a complementary vegetable platter loaded with carrot sticks, celery sections, broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, and cauliflower sections. If you feel you must include a sauce of some kind with the dishes, opt for a low-fat sour cream base and use a packet of onion soup mix to create an onion sauce that is lower in fat and carbs than the most commercial brands.
There’s no need to leave healthy snacks like sandwiches on your list of healthy party food ideas. To give them a healthy eating feel, use whole wheat bread or a darker bread like whole wheat rye. Carbohydrates are less likely to cause blood sugar spikes and will also be much tastier than blanched breads. For the fillings, make your own pimento cheese spread by grating low-fat cheese and mixing it with an olive oil-based mayonnaise and chopped pimento. Cucumber sandwiches are another option, as the filling is nothing more than chopped cucumber mixed with a little bit of low-fat mayonnaise.
Healthy foods don’t have to be boring or less satisfying than standard party food. While different, healthy snacking is an opportunity to introduce people to new tastes and combinations, allowing them to enjoy the party and the food without stopping their healthy diet for the night. With a little imagination, many of the snacks served at parties can be transformed into healthy party foods simply by using low-fat, low-carb alternative ingredients. While this may mean some experimentation ahead of time, the end results may turn out to be even more pleasing than traditional recipes.
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