 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Community Voices ... Serving a Multicultural Community! Opinions expressed on this Website do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Community Voices LLC, which has no control over, thus no responsibility for, the content of Linked sites to this Web page, financially or otherwise. Issues concerning content should be directed to Community Voices LLC Voicemail (269) 343-4653 * Write: P.O. Box 424, Kalamazoo, MI 49004 * Fax (269) 343-2270 * E-Mail Comvoices@aol.com About Us Advertise Contact Us |
| Granny's Kitchen Um-m-m! |
Superbowl Party Foods That Won't Defeat Your Diet
It's just a few days 'til Super Bowl, and we know that everybody loves a party! There’s
just something about getting together with your friends that really helps you shed the
stress of always trying to balance work and family. But with so many people trying to be
healthier, finding tasty, diet-friendly food and beverages can be a challenge, especially
while you're trying to celebrate your team's victory (or shrug off its loss).
Deciding what you’ll serve your guests can be confusing. And with more variety comes
more temptation—scientists have proven that we eat more at a buffet. So it’s up to you
to find healthy recipes for your guests that won't add to their waistlines.
If you are cooking for the party, here are some tips for healthier food choices:
• Reduce the fat in creamy dressings or dips by using low-fat or fat-free yogurt
instead of sour cream or mayonnaise. Offer hummus as a low-fat spread for crackers
and vegetables.
• Use non-stick cookware so you can cook with a minimum amount of oil or use a
low-calorie vegetable spray.
• Use flavored vinegars or lemon juice to enhance the flavor of a salad without
adding fat. Or fill a spray bottle with oil and vinegar so your guests can lightly mist their
salads with the just enough flavor.
• Use low-fat milk and cheese in recipes instead of full-fat varieties.
• Choose baked over fried every time. Whether you’re preparing a meat dish or your
famous nachos, baked foods are always the better choice.
• Instead bowls full of pretzels or potato chips, offer your guests a selection fresh
fruits and vegetables. Break out of the carrot sticks and celery routine with an Asian-
style vegetable platter of baby corn, snow peas and fresh bean sprouts drizzled in a low-
fat sesame dressing. For another interesting variation, try a southwestern theme of
fresh salsa, black beans and corn served in half a red pepper.
• Nuts are a heart-healthy snack choice. Roasted almonds are a great source of
magnesium and vitamin E, while pecans and other nuts are rich in monounsaturated
fat. Look for raw, unsalted or lightly salted varieties of your favorite nuts. If time allows,
roast your own with your favorite seasonings. '
• Don’t bury good foods under fat and sugar. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet
and don’t need extra sugar. Bake them, slice and sprinkle with cinnamon instead.
• Serve gravies and other sauces on the side so guests can choose how much
they would like. When you’re making gravy, skim off the fat with a gravy-separating cup
or let the drippings cool in the refrigerator first and remove the hardened fat before
making the gravy.
• Offer alcohol-free drinks. Spritzers made with sparkling water and cranberry (or
other fresh juices) and virgin Caesars don’t contain empty alcohol calories. Look for
100% juice (not juice mixes), and they'll count towards your guests’ daily fruit and
vegetable quota.
• Need dessert ideas? Forgo the high-fat cheesecake and pastries and serve
Angel food cake instead. Top it with fresh berries, sorbet or exotic fruits such as mango,
papaya and kiwi.
If you’re a guest at an upcoming party, here are a few tips to help you make healthier
choices:
• Don’t arrive hungry. Hunger can make it difficult to make good food choices—
everything looks delicious when you’re starving.
• Have some soup, a handful of almonds or an apple and some water to take the
edge off your hunger before coming to the party.
• Take a walk around and see what food is available—before you pick up a plate.
Take note of the healthy selections.
• Fill your 3/4 of your plate with fruits and vegetables. Then choose a few other
items to round out your meal.
• Limit yourself to one trip to the serving table. If you're still hungry, go for the healthy
produce options.
• Cut down on portion sizes to allow yourself a bite or two of your favorites. Use a
smaller plate and serve your food with a teaspoon instead of a large serving spoon.
• Reduce your alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol lowers your inhibitions,
making you more likely to make poor food choices.
• Enjoy a drink, but alternate with a glass of mineral water or a diet soda.
• Watch out for appetizers. A handful of cheese and crackers can set you back
hundreds of calories while a single chicken wing contains about 200 calories but hardly
puts a dent in your hunger. Select one or two pieces of cheese to savor and save your
calories for a full piece of baked chicken instead.
• If you want to have an appetizer, select something nutrient-rich, like bruschetta
with fresh tomatoes or shrimp in cocktail sauce.
• Enjoy desserts in small portions. It’s the first three or four bites that taste the best,
so take a small portion of your favorite and savor each bite.
Parties are opportunities to be social, so have fun! But don’t let all that tasty food
distract you from your overall health goals. Even if the tables are laden with your
favorites, with a little forethought and preparation, you can make healthy food choices
that won’t derail your good eating habits.
BDO (http://BlackDoctor.org) is the World’s largest and most comprehensive online
health resource specifically targeted to African Americans.
By De'Laney Rowland, BDO Staff
-------------------------
Posted February 5, 2010
It's just a few days 'til Super Bowl, and we know that everybody loves a party! There’s
just something about getting together with your friends that really helps you shed the
stress of always trying to balance work and family. But with so many people trying to be
healthier, finding tasty, diet-friendly food and beverages can be a challenge, especially
while you're trying to celebrate your team's victory (or shrug off its loss).
Deciding what you’ll serve your guests can be confusing. And with more variety comes
more temptation—scientists have proven that we eat more at a buffet. So it’s up to you
to find healthy recipes for your guests that won't add to their waistlines.
If you are cooking for the party, here are some tips for healthier food choices:
• Reduce the fat in creamy dressings or dips by using low-fat or fat-free yogurt
instead of sour cream or mayonnaise. Offer hummus as a low-fat spread for crackers
and vegetables.
• Use non-stick cookware so you can cook with a minimum amount of oil or use a
low-calorie vegetable spray.
• Use flavored vinegars or lemon juice to enhance the flavor of a salad without
adding fat. Or fill a spray bottle with oil and vinegar so your guests can lightly mist their
salads with the just enough flavor.
• Use low-fat milk and cheese in recipes instead of full-fat varieties.
• Choose baked over fried every time. Whether you’re preparing a meat dish or your
famous nachos, baked foods are always the better choice.
• Instead bowls full of pretzels or potato chips, offer your guests a selection fresh
fruits and vegetables. Break out of the carrot sticks and celery routine with an Asian-
style vegetable platter of baby corn, snow peas and fresh bean sprouts drizzled in a low-
fat sesame dressing. For another interesting variation, try a southwestern theme of
fresh salsa, black beans and corn served in half a red pepper.
• Nuts are a heart-healthy snack choice. Roasted almonds are a great source of
magnesium and vitamin E, while pecans and other nuts are rich in monounsaturated
fat. Look for raw, unsalted or lightly salted varieties of your favorite nuts. If time allows,
roast your own with your favorite seasonings. '
• Don’t bury good foods under fat and sugar. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet
and don’t need extra sugar. Bake them, slice and sprinkle with cinnamon instead.
• Serve gravies and other sauces on the side so guests can choose how much
they would like. When you’re making gravy, skim off the fat with a gravy-separating cup
or let the drippings cool in the refrigerator first and remove the hardened fat before
making the gravy.
• Offer alcohol-free drinks. Spritzers made with sparkling water and cranberry (or
other fresh juices) and virgin Caesars don’t contain empty alcohol calories. Look for
100% juice (not juice mixes), and they'll count towards your guests’ daily fruit and
vegetable quota.
• Need dessert ideas? Forgo the high-fat cheesecake and pastries and serve
Angel food cake instead. Top it with fresh berries, sorbet or exotic fruits such as mango,
papaya and kiwi.
If you’re a guest at an upcoming party, here are a few tips to help you make healthier
choices:
• Don’t arrive hungry. Hunger can make it difficult to make good food choices—
everything looks delicious when you’re starving.
• Have some soup, a handful of almonds or an apple and some water to take the
edge off your hunger before coming to the party.
• Take a walk around and see what food is available—before you pick up a plate.
Take note of the healthy selections.
• Fill your 3/4 of your plate with fruits and vegetables. Then choose a few other
items to round out your meal.
• Limit yourself to one trip to the serving table. If you're still hungry, go for the healthy
produce options.
• Cut down on portion sizes to allow yourself a bite or two of your favorites. Use a
smaller plate and serve your food with a teaspoon instead of a large serving spoon.
• Reduce your alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol lowers your inhibitions,
making you more likely to make poor food choices.
• Enjoy a drink, but alternate with a glass of mineral water or a diet soda.
• Watch out for appetizers. A handful of cheese and crackers can set you back
hundreds of calories while a single chicken wing contains about 200 calories but hardly
puts a dent in your hunger. Select one or two pieces of cheese to savor and save your
calories for a full piece of baked chicken instead.
• If you want to have an appetizer, select something nutrient-rich, like bruschetta
with fresh tomatoes or shrimp in cocktail sauce.
• Enjoy desserts in small portions. It’s the first three or four bites that taste the best,
so take a small portion of your favorite and savor each bite.
Parties are opportunities to be social, so have fun! But don’t let all that tasty food
distract you from your overall health goals. Even if the tables are laden with your
favorites, with a little forethought and preparation, you can make healthy food choices
that won’t derail your good eating habits.
BDO (http://BlackDoctor.org) is the World’s largest and most comprehensive online
health resource specifically targeted to African Americans.
By De'Laney Rowland, BDO Staff
-------------------------
Posted February 5, 2010
| A News Resource ... A Positive Perspective |
LIFESTYLES
| Questions? Comments? ...CONTACT CVs |
"Click"
on these
-----------------------------------
on these
-----------------------------------
