How to Throw a Diet Friendly Party

Throwing a party while you are in the middle of a strict diet program can be scary. The food, the drinks, the non-stop snacking can wreak havoc for any dieter. There is hope, however. While the terms party and diet may seem contradictory, it is possible to make your party diet friendly.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Don't make it about the food. Plan entertainment options for everybody (music and games) so people can move around and mingle. Or think about throwing a theme party, so guests can have fun dressing up, playing with the decorations and props or simple strike conversations with different people.

2. Set up a buffet. Buffets are the best way to please everybody, including dieters, because you can include a variety of foods and snacks. Feta cheese salads, shrimps or hard boiled eggs stuffed with mashed veggies are all quick to prepare, low in calories and easy on the budget. You also can still provide typical party fare, including dips, chips and fries.

3. Provide non-alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is bad for your waist, but beer tends to be the worst, as it is high in carbohydrates. While it may not be a party without alcohol, you can still mix it up by offering diet sodas, seltzer water and cider.

4. Ask guests to bring a dish. This way you can concentrate on coming up with diet-friendly food, while others can bring the high-fat, high-calorie choices that are most likely to please the crowd.

Tips & Warnings

• Offer plenty of fresh fruits or fruit salad and veggies. The roughage and fiber in these foods fill you without packing calories.