A weekend is always a great opportunity to celebrate with your friends and family. Whether it’s a birthday, girls’ night in or just a house party, we all love to gather together to talk, drink and eat food. For many, it is also a time to over-indulge because we think we can have one “cheat day” a week. Since I want to stay relatively lean and healthy all year round, I have come up with tasty snack ideas that are perfect for any party you are hosting or attending. The main idea here is to snack smart and choose healthy foods.
Here are 10 healthy snack ideas for any party you want to join:
#1 Eat smaller portions
Contrary to popular belief that smaller portions make you want to eat more, preparing mini-sized pies, tarts, and other appetisers that are equal to one portion is enough to fill you up.
At least when you reach out for more, you’re still eating less. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like feeling uncomfortably full. Aside from the extra calories, there is more saturated fat in bigger portions!
#2 Snack on seasonal fruits
We have heard this before but … this is very true. When you’re feeling hungry, take advantage of the delicious fruits in season. Apples, peaches, all types of berries and plums are all in abundance in December and January.
Cranberries, blueberries and pears are especially good during the holidays. You can also make a delicious smoothie, for instance, a strawberry one, if you don’t like raw fruits. It will fill you up for hours.
#3 Snack on nuts
Aside from seasonal fruits, another great low-calorie snack idea is a variety of nuts. Nuts contain heart-healthy good fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Just make sure that you don’t put too much salt on your nuts.
If you want to flavour nuts, add honey or chilli. Also, avoid fried and oily nuts. There are some nuts that have lesser fat content than others. The lowest calorie nuts are almonds, cashews, and pistachios.
#4 Choose low-calorie traditional foods
Each country has traditional foods that are typically served only during the holidays. I used to live in Amsterdam, and they had a lot of delicious food here during the season. However, I chose to snack on low-calorie options such as chestnuts and almond paste bread (they call it kerststol). They also have stollen, which is bread with fruit and nuts. My own country of birth, Poland, has healthy traditional Christmas snacks as well. I love mushroom dumplings called uszka and of course, pierogi.
You just have to put a healthy filling on the pierogi such as sauerkraut and mushroom, instead of potato and cheese.
#5 Eat vegetable-based snacks
There are many great recipes for vegetable-based snacks that are delicious and easy to make. I found a yummy low-calorie and heart-healthy snack online, caramelised onion and shrimp bruschetta.
Here’s another idea: roasted cauliflower. Cauliflower is my new favourite vegetable. It has much-concentrated flavour when roasted rather than when steamed. Fresh sage is a herb that goes well with roasted vegetables. Instead of dipping chips on a dip, use a variety of vegetables such as carrots, celery, tomatoes, and broccoli.
#6 Avoid salt
Just as we want to avoid sugar, we also want to avoid too much salt in our diet. It is easy to indulge in salty food, especially if you are avoiding too much sugar. I always tell myself that I should avoid too much of both.
To add flavour to food, choose fresh herbs, chillies, black pepper or lemon wedges. These are all healthier and tastier options.
#7 Make healthier dips
Instead of using rich, creamy dips from various cheeses or mayonnaise that are high in saturated fat, try heart-healthy spinach, artichoke, or white bean dips made with nonfat yoghurt or low-fat cottage cheese.
#8 Use smaller plates and glasses
Using smaller plates and glasses tricks our minds to minimise the portions of snacks and drinks. I have read a study that verifies this. They have entitled the article “The Large Plate Mistake.”
#9 You can splurge once in a while, but do something healthy first
This is the party, after all, so we are all allowed to splurge once in a while. Before I allow myself to splurge, I do something healthy first. I just want to counter the “unhealthy” thing that I will do.
#10 Stay active
I usually take a walk, run a few laps, or climb up and down the stairs to burn off extra calories and stay active during, after or before the party!
These are such great tips! I avoid bread when snacking and try and stick to the fresh vegetable options 🙂
Sticking to fresh veggies is a great approach, Tandy! 🙂
The healthier dips is a great idea, Agness! The dip makes me feel like I’m eating something “real” but as long as it’s full of healthy stuff then it’s ok. I just have to avoid using a ton of chips with said dip! 🙂 Thanks for sharing these tips, my friend!
They are a great idea, indeed, David! 🙂
These are such helpful tips! I absolutely love to snack on fruits, veggies and nuts 🙂
Even healthy snacks can be delicious, right? 🙂
Some great tips, Agness! Nuts are definitely a good to for me – filling and a healthier choice 🙂
Nuts are packed with nutrients and a great snack, Dawn! 🙂
Great post. Thanks.
Thanks very much, Lana! 🙂
Great tips Agness, I try to eat at least one big salad a day and try not to eat too much bread. Your dips look delicious~
You really try to have a balanced diet, Cheri! 🙂
i feel like it’s so much easier to eat healthier during the summer. there’s so much great produce, and i don’t crave rich, hearty things because it’s so hot. and yes to nuts! my mom makes a herby spiced one with a bit of maple syrup to help all the seasonings stick, and it’s so tasty that i’m tempted to eat the whole bowl.
You’re right, Heather. There are plenty of fresh ingredients in summer and the weather doesn’t require calorific foods as in winter.
I’m bookmarking this so I can reread at Christmas, since I’m better at controlling myself this time of year :). Awesome post, as always, Agness!
That seems like a splendid idea, Kelsie! We all need a reminder that time of the year. 🙂
Such great ideas to kill that 4 o’clock hunger attack.
You’re right, Kankana! These ideas are really useful. 🙂
Great tips, I like espcailyl 1, 7 and 8. I love my dishes but the main plate is a huge square. If I am home alone I used the dessert plate as a main meal plate.
That’s’ a great method, Evelyne! 🙂
I love all these tips, Agness! I’m a big fan of little appetizers and small plates at a party anyway – nobody should have to pick one big meal to enjoy when they can have a little taste of everything 🙂
Thanks a bunch, Jessica! 🙂
These are great tips! I have been working on the smaller portions and healthier dips. Take care.
I am glad you like the tips, Stacey! 😉
These are such great tips! My fave are the nuts. I love a good handful of almonds!
Danielle | FollowMyGut.com <3
Nuts are always a great idea, Danielle! 🙂
I am definitely guilty of not using smaller sized plates…totally bad idea in my case since growing up I was always told to finish everything on my plate (brain damaged for life in result) At least I drink tons and tons of plain kefir and exercise which helps me keep a constant weight..still, as we grow older portion control is totally a must as my doctor never misses to tell me:)
Using small plates is definitely a must! Moreover, drinking kefir seems like a great idea, Milena!
These are all really great tips…and fruits/nuts! :D!! Those are definitely some of my favorite snacks (aside from popcorn 😛 )!
Thanks, Farrah! 🙂
Great ideas to eat healthy and nice snacks!
They are, Angela! 🙂
Good tips. I especially support the one about using smaller plates – it’s natural to want to eat everything on the plate, so make the plate smaller!
Eating from smaller plates is amazing, indeed, Tim!
Fruit and nuts are my favourites Agness. 🙂
If there’s a table laid out with party snacks and one or two of the options are fruit and nuts then I’d head to those first. If I can fill up on them first, it SHOULD mean I would be too full for the other “naughtier snacks.” 😉
That’s awesome, Neil! 🙂
Great tips! I’m probably not the best person to ask about staying healthy during a party because I think parties are a time to enjoy a bit of indulgence! Hehe but I do like foods that make me feel good and luckily they’re usually mostly fruit and veg.
Thanks, Chelsey! 🙂
Filling up my plate with fruits and veggies really helps me stay in control.
That sounds great, Danielle! 🙂