10 Healthy Party Appetizers!

Did you know that overindulging on the weekends can lead to weight gain of nine pounds a year? To stay on track and still have fun with friends and family, serve some of these healthier party foods.

1. Bruschetta: Traditionally, this starter is made with thin slices of toasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with tomato and basil. Get whole wheat bread slice it thinner and more uniform. 45 calories; 2 g. fat per piece
2. Smoked Salmon mousse: In a food processor, mix 6 ounces smoked salmon with light cream cheese, some dill, lemon zest and juice, and a handful of thin slice of English cucumber. 75 calories, 3 g fat.
3. Salsa: Jarred or homemade, spicy or mil, this is a no-fail appetizer. Serve it with baked or whole-grain chips, vegetables or pita chips. 50-70 calories a cup
4. Guacamole: Full of heart-healthy fats, increase your vegetable intake by adding extra chopped tomato, onion and bell pepper, plus cucumber. 75-80 calories, 7 grams of healthy fat per 1/4 cup servings.
5. Shrimp Cocktail: Shrimp is lean, and each one has 1 gram of filling protein. Protein takes longer to digest and keeps you fuller, longer. 10 Calories, no fat peer shrimp with a teaspoon of cocktail sauce.
6. Lighten up your dip: Skip the chips or serve baked ones. Use pretzels, pita crisps, baked crackers, etc. Better yet: Dip vegetables. Use low-fat yogurt, mayo or sour cream in place of full fat. One cup of lower-fat sour cream will provide all the flavor and texture of mayonnaise but cut 1,300 calories and 150 grams of fat.
7. Chicken kabobs: Toss chicken chunks in a light marinade, then broil until crispy and cooked through. Serve on toothpicks. Thread 1 ounce strips of chicken onto skewers cut in half. Serve with peanut sauce, low-sodium teriyaki or even light ranch dressing. Great alternative to meatballs! 30 calories, no fat, 6.5 protein per ounce of chicken.
8. Popcorn: Popcorn is a whole grain, and 1 cup of air popped popcorn has just 30 calories. Spritz with nonstick spray, then sprinkle on oregano, black pepper and Parmesan cheese.
9. Fruit and cheese: Skip the crackers and serve cheese with fruit instead. Cheese is full of calcium and protein, and the fruit helps bring out its flavor. 115 calories, 7 g fat in once ounce of cheddar cheese (pair of dice) Swap low-fat for full-fat cheese.
10. Deviled Eggs: Halve the mayo in the recipe to save calories. These are another filling, healthy treat. Instead of your typical filling, try hummus salsa or even that smoked salmon mousse. It sounds strange, but it will look gourmet. 65 Calories, 3 g fat per half of an egg.