Going to a holiday party? You enter the party and come to a huge table with lovely nutritional choices, as well as some not-so-nutritional choices. What do you do? It really is easy to choose foods that will support your healthy living goals! Forego the standard chips and heavy dip, cookies and candies in favor of these expert recommended figure-friendly healthy and flavorful foods. Check out these recommendations by Keri Gans, MS, RD, CDN.  Next time you find yourself standing at a party table crowded with a variety of food choices, you’ll be prepared and empowered with your healthy go-to expert list.

Healthy Holiday-Party Choices:

Shrimp cocktail
Hummus & raw veggies
Cheese. Stick to serving size of 4 playing dice. Enjoy with whole grain crackers
Nuts. (Again watch serving size — no more than 1ounce = a shot glass)
Smoked salmon on cucumber squares
Tuna tartar with avocado
California roll
Chicken skewers

Be mindful to still limit portions of above — because even though healthy choices — if all is consumed at once, the calories will add up.

Keri Gans, MS, RD, CDN, Nutritionist in Private Practice in NYC, Media Spokesperson and Author of The Small Change Diet (Gallery, March 2011) For more information, www.kerigansnutrition.com. Follow Keri on Twitter @kerigans and join her Facebook community via www.facebook.com/TheSmallChangeDiet

Are you on the Party-Circuit?

Question:

Answer:

Here are 5 budget-friendly tips for healthy eating:

1. Load up on canned beans! Inexpensive AND packed with nutrients. Add beans to pasta, green salads, and soups for added fiber and protein.

2. Buy frozen veggies. They are frozen at peak ripeness so can be just as nutritious as fresh. Buying frozen is also a great money-saving tip as you don’t have to worry about spoilage.

3. Buy in bulk and freeze in individual portions. For example, purchase chicken breast in family size packs, even if you are shopping for one. You’ll find the price is always lower when buying in high quantity. Individually wrap each piece and freeze and defrost as needed.

4. Look for in-season fruits. Buy on sale! For example, apples in the fall are going to be a lot less expensive than berries are.

5. Switch to store-brands. In many supermarkets their own label is as nutritious as name brands. Read the nutrition fact label and ingredient list and compare.

Keri Gans, MS, RD, CDN, Nutritionist in Private Practice in NYC, Media Spokesperson and Author of The Small Change Diet (Gallery, March 2011) For more information, www.kerigansnutrition.com. Follow Keri on Twitter @kerigans and join her Facebook community via www.facebook.com/TheSmallChangeDiet

Budget-Friendly Healthy Eating by Keri Gans