You’ve got a million things to do to plan your next affair. Of course, the food you serve will be an important part, but if you’re trying to eat healthy you may feel as if your options are limited. Would you be happy to know that this is simply not true? Indeed, crafting unique, healthy aperitifs is less of a challenge than you might think. With some careful planning and some smart shopping, your party platter is sure to please your guests and your waistline. The key is mixing in a variety of nutritious, low-fat fare in your spread.

Elegantly Elevate Your Bar Food
You can kick your gathering up a few notches with some lower-fat versions of traditional pub munchies. You’ll pleasantly surprise your friends with leaner versions of tried-and-true favorites such as pizza or deep-fried foods. For pizza, opt for thinner whole grain crusts, or even pita bread for an interesting switch-up. Top with veggies, lean meats, and lower fat cheeses to score a win with your crowd. And as for those sinfully crunchy fried goodies, go for baked versions to avoid some of the fat and calories. Some great examples include baked onion rings and mozzarella sticks — and you can find recipes for these on the Food Network website.

Grains Give Your Goodies a Satisfying Crunch

By now, you’ve probably heard all of the contradictory advice about carbs. Eat them. Don’t eat them. What gives? But most nutritionists recommend choosing complex carbohydrates over the simple, processed versions because of their fiber and nutrient content. Whole-grain crackers, pita bread or other whole-wheat products make an excellent accompaniment to cheeses, meat, fruit, vegetables and dips. And some small amounts of white breads are okay. For instance, you might incorporate sliced and toasted baguettes in your spread in dishes such as bruschetta.
Charge It Up With Cheese
When impeccably paired with fruits, vegetables and bread, cheese is a stellar performer in both taste and texture. You already know about lower-fat favorites such as mozzarella and feta. However, lesser known versions will make your partygoers sit up and take notice. Goat cheese with its unique mellow flavor is always a winner. Opt for Neufchatel, a French cheese that works well as a creamy spreadable topping, as opposed to traditional cream cheese. And try Camembert, a distinctively tasting variety that’s a great accompaniment to an assortment of crackers and fruit.

Sinful Sauces and Dreamy Dips
Here’s some more good news: you don’t have to give up the sauces and dips! Going for healthy editions is easier than you think. Hearty bean-based dips, or similar noshes such as hummus, are scrumptious alternatives to the usual high-fat dips. For other fantastic fare, opt for ghanoush, a Levantine dish made out of eggplant, lemon, garlic, tahini and salt. Greek yogurt is also a wonderful low-fat base for creamy dips. And if you seek some plant-based ingredients for dressings, sauces and dips, try products just as Just Mayo in original flavor from Hampton Creek.

From Sweet to Spicy to Crunchy, Try Produce for a Fresh Flair
No party platter would be complete without a good assortment of fruits and vegetables. Incorporating them is unbelievably simple. You can go traditional, with time-tested treats such as spinach and artichoke dip. Another tasty example is endive: its subtle flavor makes the leaves ideal to fill with bold choices such as bacon, or the mellow smoothness of brie, or even the sweet yet mildly tart blood orange. They’re even great as part of a crudité arrangement, along with standard choices like carrots and cherry tomatoes. Check out the California Endive Farms website for some fresh ideas.

Mix It Up With Wise Healthy Choices
Nobody said you had to stick to celery sticks for your party fare. (Sorry, celery sticks — no offense intended!) But offering a gloriously colorful palette of foods with contrasts in tastes, texture, aroma that also look gorgeous and are healthy is a wise idea for your next bash. The key is choosing foods that are high in fiber, low in fat and packed with other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein and antioxidants. Preparing leaner versions of high-fat fare, mixing in healthy grains and produce, and rethinking your dips allows you to try foods that aren’t your everyday noshes.