Newswise — As we tighten our belts to cope with this year's stumbling economy, the phrase "holiday party" is likely to be followed by the word "potluck."
Even Jay Nixon, Missouri's governor-elect, plans to celebrate his inauguration as governor with a potluck instead of the more traditional blow-out bash.
Look at your chance to bring a dish to a party as an opportunity to control your waistline, advises Katie Eliot, a dietitian and instructor of nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University.
"While potlucks are a way of making entertaining more affordable, they also give party guests a little control over the menu," Eliot says. "All too often, traditional holiday party buffets include foods that are high in fat and packed with sugar. They're not particularly healthy and you are add extra weight if you overindulge."
If you've been invited to more than one holiday potluck, consider doing all of your cooking at once to save time. Double or triple the recipe, divide it into portions you will bring to each party and refrigerate or freeze the dish until you bring it to the party.
Here are some of Eliot's favorite picks for a potluck:
"¢ Chips and hummus are the "classic dietitian's dish," a healthy and simple appetizer that those who don't have time to cook can grab on the way to a party.
"¢ Whole wheat crackers and mozzarella or another low-fat cheese (one made with 2 percent milk) is another appetizer that requires no preparation other than unwrapping and serving.
"¢ Leafy green lettuce or spinach sprinkled with almonds and cranberries and topped with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing makes a colorfully festive Christmas salad.
"¢ A sweet potato casserole is packed with vitamin A and great to share even when it's not Thanksgiving.
"¢ Sliced apples (sprinkle them with lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown) served with a peanut butter dip satisfy a sweet tooth and are a healthy alternative to cookies.
"¢ Mocktails, non-alcoholic beverages that are nearly as sassy as their cousins, add some pop to the party without the buzz. You can track down recipes on cooking Web sites.
"You don't have to spend hours in the kitchen, cooking something to share at a holiday potluck," Eliot says. "In just a few minutes, and many times with only kitchen scissors to cut through packaging, you can create a dish to keep friends and family coming back for seconds."
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