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Most of us feel the need to serve "regular" food at parties rather than inflict our low fat diet on guests. The flaw in this rationale is that heart disease is still the number one killer in the U.S. and it kills more women than all cancers combined. That means the odds are at least a few of your guests would benefit greatly from a heart-healthy meal!
There is no reason low fat dishes can't look wonderful and taste delicious. It may take a little experimentation, but most of your favorite recipes can be modified to be lower in fat and calories, but equally yummy.
The mantra "simple foods prepared simply" will get you pointed in the right direction. For example:
- petite (4 to 5 ounce) fillets on the grill (not the 8 ounce version)
- baked potatoes
- steamed vegetables
- salad
- dessert
Try these healthy embellishments:
- steak sauce instead of béarnaise
- light sour cream for the potatoes instead of regular
- lemon rind on the veggies instead of butter
- vinaigrette salad dressing on spring greens instead of Ranch or Bleu Cheese dressing
- angel food cake with fresh fruit for dessert instead of a rich cake and ice cream
It is a simple, elegant meal and very healthy for anyone with a cholesterol problem, heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. (See this month's Calorie Conscious to see just how many fat grams and calories were saved with the changes - it's amazing).
Be sure to "dress" the plate with garnishes such as parsley or chopped chives. Your guests will love this healthy, delicious meal.
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