Healthy Party Snacks: 25 snacks under 300 calories

There are times when nothing less than a bar of chocolate will do. Here are 24 other treats that will hit the spot without breaking the calorie bank

Mid-morning snacks

Two or three hours after breakfast, if you had breakfast that is, your glucose levels start to drop. It's at this point that you start finding it hard to concentrate and crave something sweet to eat. Banish those mid-morning blues with these great snacks:

A strawberry smoothie with marshmallows - 277 calories
Half a bagel with low fat cream cheese and figs - 190 calories
Two slices of malt bread - 188 calories
A small bag of banana chips (30g) - 199 calories
A standard size chocolate bar - 281 calories

Mid-afternoon snacks

You probably know the feeling. Mid-afternoon, you're nodding off at your desk and there's a dull throb behind your eyes. You could go for a brisk walk in the fresh air or reach for a glass of water (headaches are most commonly caused by dehydration, so always try topping up your fluid levels before you pop a painkiller). But if that doesn't do it for you,' these energising snacks should get you through to teatime:

A bag of candied popcorn (75g) - 240 calories
2 slices of pumpernickel bread with 2 tbsp honey - 232 calories
1 large slice of gingerbread - 254 calories
2 slices of rye bread with vegetable pâté - 265 calories
1 bag of Twiglets (50g) - 192 calories

After dinner treats

You know you probably shouldn't be delving into the fridge so soon after dinner but there's a movie on and you fancy something sweet and comforting. Try the following puddings. They beat a plate of carrot sticks every time.

A portion of fruit crumble - 288 calories
A portion of lemon sorbet - 124 calories
A portion of lemon mousse - 83 calories
A portion of crème caramel - 98 calories
2 meringues filled with cream and strawberries - 243 calories

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Healthy And Fun Party Snacks

When you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle, choosing healthy party snacks can be a real problem. The classic ones just aren’t that healthy and you don’t want to bore everyone else by putting out nothing but fruits and vegetables.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with having a solid fruit or veggie tray out at a party; in fact, I recommend it highly. A little dip will make people more enthusiastic about the vegetables. Get a little creative with the kinds of fruits and vegetables offered. Try including things like papaya or berries to make the selection really stand out.

But for a good party you need more options. Fortunately, many favorite healthy party snacks can be made in a relatively healthy manner so long as you pick healthy ingredients. Remember that the secret to healthy cooking is in choosing the right ingredients.

Pigs in a blanket are always popular, and if you want a healthier variety choose chicken or turkey franks. If they aren’t available in mini frank size just chop up larger ones into smaller sizes. Wrap in crescent roll dough and cook at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes or until dough is golden brown.

When my family gets together the shrimp ring is always popular. You can find these in most grocery stores with the other frozen seafood and it comes with cocktail sauce. If not, just buy the shrimp on your own and buy the cocktail sauce separately. Very indulgent, sometimes a little pricey, but always a hit.

Seasoned popcorn can be a great alternative to potato chips. You can find recipes all over the place online or come up with your own recipe. You can also get creative and make your own recipe. I like to add things like garlic and Parmesan to my popcorn’s butter or oil before pouring it over.

Baked tortilla chips with a good salsa are reasonably healthy too. Guacamole is also rather healthy.

Mini pizzas go over well too. Rather than buy them, make them yourself on English muffin halves. Use salsa if you want a little spice rather than tomato sauce, and keep the toppings healthy. Sorry, that does mean avoid pepperoni.

Even at a party healthy food doesn’t have to mean boring. There are many foods out there that are good for you and will delight your guests. Use some creativity and no one will complain that you only have healthy foods available.

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Halloween: Healthy Party Snack Ideas

Have a healthy Halloween Party! Image: gamene/Flickr It's Halloween party time and if you're looking for something great to send in for the class party, you've come to the right place. You could go with orange-frosted cupcakes or chocolate chip cookies, but why not try something a little bit healthier and a lot more fun? Here are ten ideas for Halloween party snacks that are so tasty the kids won't care that they are good for them.

Black Bean Cat Crudites - Get the party started with this healthy vegetable and black bean arrangement. Even the most veggie-avoiding kid in the world will want a piece of this!

Melon Brain - Turn an ordinary round watermelon into an artistic display of exposed brains. Sound complicated? It's not. Just peel a small, round watermelon and carve up some brains.

Spooky Jello Jigglers - Who doesn't love Jell-o? Use Halloween cookie cutters to create holiday-themed snacks in orange and black. Yes, you can make black jello!

Agave Popcorn Balls - With no no refined sugar, butter, or artificial ingredients, these popcorn balls are flavored with agave nectar and almond butter.

Edible Eyeballs - What's that staring up at me from my plate? Sliced carrots, cream cheese and olives come together in this creepy delicious snack.

Frozen Blood Yogurt Popsicle - These yogurt and fruit Popsicles are low in sugar and easy to make.

Orange Jack-o-Lanterns - Oranges, yogurt, Jell-o and raisins are all you need to create this healthy and fun snack.

Ants on a Log - What better time to serve up a pile of ants than on Halloween? This one is so easy to make, the kids can do it.

Ghost Sticks - Pretzels with just a touch of white chocolate are salty with just the right amount of sweet.

Orange Halloween Punch - Skip the soda and serve them this delicious frothy orange concoction instead.

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Healthy Party Snacks for Kids

Finding the right balance of healthy food that kids will eat at parties can be quite a challenge, particularly with the popularity and brand recognition of fast foods.

However, with a bit of creativity and effort you can make healthy food look appetizing and fun to eat and here are a few tips:-

• Instead of serving bread with hundreds and thousands/sprinkles on it, make a variety of sandwiches with different fillings, for example cheese, ham, tuna, egg, cheese and tomato or tuna and sweet corn. Small, quality sausages, such as chipolatas are also an excellent addition to any party and popular with children. The children are more likely to eat these if you present them in a fun way.
• Instead of lots of chocolate, place dried fruit on toothpicks, ensuring that you use a variety off different colors to make it look fun. You can also have muesli bars and you can buy carob coated rice cakes. You could also make carob coated chocolate rice krispies treats. You can use cornflakes as a wheat free alternative but please ensure that you check the package in case of children with allergies.
• If you want to offer vegetarian, dairy free or wheat/gluten free party food, then here are a few different ideas for you to try:-

1. If you are able to locate them, Scottish oatcakes (some oatcakes may contain wheat or gluten - check the packages for further details) are an excellent choice served with tuna and sweet corn.
2. For a sweet idea, rice cakes with a carob chocolate topping or for a savory idea, you could add some cheese, pineapple, aubergine (eggplant) or a variety of pureed vegetables. Make sure that these are colorful to attract the children’s eye.
3. You can add cheese to muffins (you can make these gluten free) and place them under the grill. Try placing some fruit and shredded zucchini (courgette) inside them also. You can also make them into little pizzas and get the party boy/girl to help you make them.
4. Waffles are also another good idea (these may not be gluten free though) and you can add all sorts of things, for example pureed fruits as a sweet alternative or freshly cooked beans as a savory topping.
5. Tofu (bean curd) can also be used, although to make this attractive to children, you will need to ensure that you serve it in an interesting way. One way to do this is to slice the tofu finely and then dip it into some beaten up egg. Then add some sesame seeds and shallow fry it, serving it hot. The adults may prefer this but nothing ventured nothing gained!
6. Home made pizzas cut into small rectangles, so that the children can eat them easily. You can add all sorts of different flavors and pineapple and cheese, tomato and cheese, or grated vegetables and cheese are excellent vegetarian choices. If you have someone at the party who cannot eat wheat or is a strict vegan, you can then add soya cheese and use wheat free dough. You can ask the party girl/boy to help you make them into funny faces. Getting the children involved with what you are doing is always a great idea, since they will then enjoy their party more as they have participated in the food preparation.
7. You can also offer a variety of foods on a stick, for example cheese or fruit cubes.
8. Falafels (a Lebanese delicacy made with chick peas).
9. Rice crackers or pitta bread served with hummous and avocado dip, with carrot, zucchini and celery.

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7 Most Healthy Party Snacks

• Healthy party snacks do not have to be bland or boring, they can be delicious and flavorful while still being good for you
• Healthy snacks can include chips with dip, just choose nutritious chips and dips to serve, such asvegetable chips and Tabouli Dip
• Choose healthy snacks for your next party and you will be astonished at how fast the food becomes a favorite with all your guests

1. Zucchini Fries

Zucchini fries are among the snacks considered very healthy party snacks, unlike traditional French fries. Because they are made from zucchini and are baked in the oven instead of being deep fried, these snacks have less than three hundred calories and four grams of protein, compared with five hundred calories or more and no protein with French fries. Zucchini fries are delicious, and much more nutritious than many other party snacks. Even dieters can enjoy these snacks without guilt because of how healthy they are.

2. Vegetable Chips

Potato chips are a party favorite, especially when paired with dip, but these snacks are loaded with empty calories and fat.Vegetable chips are a much healthier alternative, and they can offer a wide variety of flavors instead of just potato taste. You can use radishes, beets, carrots, parsnips, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, rutabaga, radishes, and others. This will give you a variety sure to please the taste buds of any guests, and they are every simple to make, oven baked, more nutritious than regular chips, and taste fabulous.

3. Soy Chips

Just like vegetable chips, soy chips are healthy snacks that can replace unhealthy ones like potato chips. Unlike traditional potato chips, soy chips are a snack that is very high in protein and extremely low in both calories and fat. These chips are made from soy instead of potatoes, and are then baked to a crisp crunch. With only sixty to eighty calories per serving compared to one hundred and fifty or more calories for the same serving of regular chips, soy chips are a healthy way to snack without having to give up taste.

4. Soy Nuts

If you want healthy party snacks at your next event, look at soy nuts. These snacks are simply soy beans that have been oven roasted and seasoned. You can find these nuts in different flavors, such as cheddar and barbecue, or mixed with a wide variety of spices for a unique flavor twist. They are also terrific plain or lightly salted, and they make a nutritious snack that is good for you and tastes good too. With thirty four grams of protein per serving, they pack a big nutritional punch as well.

5. Tabouli Dip

Dip is a popular part of any party spread, but this can be one of the healthy snacks you serve. Consider serving Tabouli Dip instead of Ranch Dip next time you throw a party, and your guests will get healthy and stay in better shape. Tabouli has seventy calories and offers protein and fiber, and has no fat at all. Ranch Dip on the other hand has one hundred and fifty calories for a smaller serving size, and also five grams of fat per serving. When it comes to healthy dips that are good for you, Tabouli Dip wins easily.

6. Hummus

Hummus is considered one of the best healthy snacks you can find to serve at a party. This chickpea paste originated in the Middle East, and is found in a number of varieties that offer different flavorings, such as garlic, lemon, and sesame seed. This spread does contain some fat, but also a large amount of protein, fiber, iron, calcium, vitamin C, and many other essential nutrients. It is also very filling, with a large one cup serving size that is more than sufficient for almost any guest. You can purchase this snack or make it fresh at home.

7. Soy Cheese

Healthy party snacks do not have to be expensive or difficult to prepare. Soy cheese makes a fantastic party snack that is good for you and tastes great at the same time. One ounce of soy cheese has only sixty calories, but a lot more protein and less fat than cheese made from dairy products. There are many varieties of soy cheese to choose from, including American, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella, Cheddar, and even cream cheese in both the plain variety and many flavored varieties.

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Top 10 Healthy Party Snacks

Have you had enough of everyone telling you what NOT to eat during the holidays? How would you like a refreshing list of what you SHOULD be eating at any party year around? We know that avoiding party noshing can be frustrating and futile, but we’re here to say you don’t need to starve yourself to look good and feel great. Parties happen all year long and there’s no getting around it – and you don’t need to either! So whether you’re throwing a festive shindig for your friend who’s going away or your cousin’s birthday party is next week, discover these common healthy party snacks that are festive, delicious and will help you keep your slim figure throughout the party season… 

Healthy Party Foods #1: Red Wine

Most of us see parties as a chance to drink up and let loose, but when it comes to alcohol, choosing red wine over cocktails can save you hundreds of calories. Not only that, red wine is also rich in antioxidants that protect your heart and help your body to maintain healthy cells.

Healthy Party Foods #2: Nuts

You might be accustomed to shying away from the nuts since they are high in fat, but nuts are full of the good kind of fat – unsaturated. Unsaturated fats help promote healthy hair, skin and nails, nourishing them from the inside out. Rather than snacking on greasy chips, grab a handful of nuts – they’ll also keep you satisfied longer. For the best total fat to unsaturated fat ratio, grab a handful of hazelnuts – they’re 94% good fat!

Healthy Party Foods #3: Raw Veggies

The veggie tray is always a hit at any party! No matter what kind of veggie you love, you’ll most likely find it on the veggie tray. If you’re hosting the party, get creative and blanch asparagus, green beans and other greens for tasty dippers. Vegetables are full of nutrients and water, low in calories and 100% fat-free. But watch out for those calorie-loaded party dips!

Healthy Party Foods #4: Healthy Party Dips

Speaking of calorie-rich party dips, we’ve got some great alternatives for you. Instead of mayonnaise, sour cream or cream cheese based dips, reach for the hummus (blended chickpeas) or fresh salsa. They’re both tasty, loaded with nutrients and low in calories and fat.

Healthy Party Foods #5: Tomato Juice

If you’re not the type who likes to eat your vegetables, drink them instead! You can get one or more servings of vegetables in a glass of tomato or V8 juice, and it’s a low-fat, low-calorie drink. And, if you must have a cocktail, try a Bloody Mary for the tomato juice benefit, and don’t forget to munch on the celery! 

Healthy Party Foods #6: Fruit GaloreChances are, whichever party you’re at, there’ll be desserts – and tons of them! Fixing an aching sweet tooth is as easy as reaching for the fresh fruit. Just like veggies, fresh fruit is nutrient-dense, full of water and low in calories and fat – and they’ll help fill you up before the main courses, which are often the fattiest.

Healthy Party Foods #7: FishYou might not think of serving fish at your party, but it really does make for a fancy and nutritious treat. Try mini sushi rolls for an oriental twist or smoked salmon pieces to really light up your table. Both are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, an essential fat that is lacking in the typical American diet. Increasing your Omega-3 intake can also help promote healthy hair, skin and nails.

Healthy Party Foods #8: Air Popped Popcorn

It’s the perfect snack for those of you who need to constantly be handling food. One cup of air popped popcorn has only 30 calories and provides more than one gram of fiber. Just don’t slather on the butter, because this health-conscious snack will quickly become waistline-sabotaging. Instead, try Mrs. Dash seasonings for a tasty kick. 

Healthy Party Foods #9: Angel Food Cake

Serving cake or eyeing the cake in the kitchen? Forget the really rich and dense cakes and opt instead for angel food cake – a light and fluffy variety of cake that is low in fat and high in flavor. For an even tastier angel food cake, top your slice with fresh fruit like strawberries and a low-calorie whipped topping. If you choose well, you can literally have your cake and eat it, too!

Healthy Party Foods #10: Lemon water

OK, so this drink doesn’t sounds that festive for a party, but it’s a tasty alternative to water, and not nearly as bland. If you have a hard time wanting to drink water, squeeze a fresh lemon wedge into your glass to quench your thirst and replenish any water lost from drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages. Drinking water is great for you and doesn’t have the calories of other party drinks.

Parties are seen as a welcome time to indulge, but just because you’re feeling festive and celebratory doesn’t mean that your waistline should suffer, especially when there are so many other deliciously healthy party snacks available. Making a commitment to yourself to eat right and watch your caloric intake shouldn’t get thrown to the wayside just because of a social event.

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