oooohhhh hungry hungry hobbit. Holiday time is here once again. Temptation is on the table. This holiday weekend plans include a hickory smoked maple glazed ham AND a turkey. Expect to see some leftover recipes soon. Now, just because I’m on a weight loss challenge isn’t going to stop me from making this work. It’s time for some creative management instead of taking a dive.
I’m not talking cereal management either. I’m a little annoyed by the commercial that has been playing lately of this woman who says to herself “oh, dinner out with the girls, I’ll want dessert…better skip breakfast.”. Where the cereal then says no! Don’t skip breakfast! Shovel into our sugary cereal with very little to do with the food pyramid and crash later instead! Woooo! Get me some of that!
*cough*
Yeah, that’s the expression I had too.
May I present an alternative? How about eating some low calorie fruits and veggies throughout the day? Or how about some low fat dairy matched with it helping you complete some of that food pyramid you keep hearing about, while filling yourself up and reserving those big calories for a nice portion controlled take of that super fun dinner later on. To me that just seems more win win, than cereal. Granted we try not to eat more than 500 calories per meal since that is what studies are showing is what the body can burn effectively. I’m sure those few holidays matched with good eating during the day will forgive us just this once.
So how will we do this tasty eating without feeling like a hamster?
The faboo world of dips. It is such a holiday food. This may be a bit of a hamster holiday for some but very worth it. First we start with our dippers. You’ve got your veggie platter. So easy to do with a bit of prep. Celery, carrots, broccoli, peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, go nuts! I find that when you chop up a platter and put it out there, you just can’t help but delve! Fruit platters are great too, especially in the morning as sort of a morning long brunch. Berries of all sort, melons, orange slices, pineapple, apples with lemon juice, starfruit, etc. Then the last of your dipper choices is the fiber. I don’t tend to do this one since it is harder to control but it you feel the need a lot of veggie dips are great for mini crackers. Especially multigrain ones. The best way to handle those is to count out a portion, put them in a bowl for yourself and pick away as you wish. Hurray for grazing. With platters like those you will eat your fruit and veg servings in no time, eat very little in calories and fat, and feel full all day. Leaving you less likely to indulge too much on that naughty dinner you have planned later in the day.
What to have with those veggies to make them more fun? I have a few suggestions. Easy dips that you can make the night before, leaving you more time to be festive. To control your dip intake I suggest grabbing a ramekin, measuring out your dip for the day, and taking it out each time you indulge in your tasty looking tray. Easy! On to the dip then? Here are a couple of my favourites:
Rancho Dill Dip
- 2 tsp dill weed
- 1 package of dry ranch dressing (I chose a zero calorie dry mix)
- 1 container fat free sour cream
- Combine, allow to chill a few hours, overnight is best.
Each serving is 2 tablespoons. Each servings contains 29 calories, 0 fat, and 0 fiber. This can vary based on your sour cream. I made this particular dip to try and imitate a dip served at a restaurant in Halifax. They serve it with their fries and it is immensely popular. Sadly, I cannot compare them side by side anymore but I think I’m getting close!
French Onion Dip
- French Onion dry soup mix
- 1 container of fat free sour cream
- Combine and allow to chill overnight.
Each serving is 2 tablespoons. Each serving contains 47 calories, 0.3 fat, and 0.1 fiber. Varies on your choice of soup mix and sour cream.
Zesty Italian Dip
- 1 cup of fat free plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup fat free miracle whip
- 1 package dry italian dressing mix (there are zero calorie ones out there)
- Combine and allow to chill overnight.
Each serving is two tablespoons. Each serving contains 22 calories, 0.3 grams of fat, and 0 fiber.
This last one is for if you want to get naughty with your fruit…oh you know what I mean. Hush. Usually fruit is tasty enough on its own but if you want to make it more dessert like this might be how you want to go.
Nutella Dip
- 1/2 cup Nutella
- 1 container fat free cream cheese, room temp to mix easier
- 1 tbl skim milk
- Combine until it has a bit of airy fluffiness to it.
Each serving is two tablespoons. Each serving contains 81 calories, 3.7 grams of fat, and 0.3 grams of fiber.
Hopefully everyone will enjoy their holidays this weekend with their dippers, dining in, and avoid that dive. I know I will!
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