| You are planning an elegant dinner party, | | | | |
| with delicious food and drinks. But you know | | | | 4. Include a pureed squash, sweet potato or |
| that two or three of the guests you really | | | | turnip dish along with your vegetables and |
| want around your table are trying to shed a | | | | salad. Most green vegetables and salad are no |
| few pounds. | | | | problem for most dieters. Diet-conscious |
| | | | guests can also choose your pureed dishes |
| Can you invite them with a clear conscience - | | | | instead of white potatoes or rice. These |
| without feeling you are "sabotaging" their | | | | dishes fill the plate the same way that |
| dieting efforts? At the same time, can you | | | | potatoes and rice do. And they have the same |
| mix them with guests who are not concerned | | | | consistency as fluffy mashed potatoes. (The |
| about their weight? | | | | Atkins diet even recommends pureed |
| | | | cauliflower.) Diet-conscious guests can |
| The answer is a resounding yes - as long as | | | | decline potatoes or rice knowing they will |
| you take five simple steps. | | | | still have filling side dishes. |
| | | | |
| The five steps are all designed to give your | | | | In other words, your diet-conscious guests |
| diet-conscious guests inviting-looking | | | | don't need to feel deprived because they |
| choices they can enjoy without risking their | | | | still have the volume and texture of mashed |
| diet. All of them have the bonus advantage | | | | potatoes in their vegetable purees. |
| that they are inviting-looking for your | | | | |
| non-dieting guests as well. | | | | 5. Fresh fruit with chocolate bonbons is a |
| | | | great end to the meal. Your guests can eat |
| 1. Have a jug of sparkling water available | | | | the fruit without worrying about calories. |
| for pre-dinner drinks. Garnish it with a | | | | And since they have been so diet-conscious |
| lemon or lime so it looks special, and be | | | | throughout the evening, they can treat |
| sure to serve it in lovely glasses. Your | | | | themselves to a piece or two of chocolate |
| dieting friends will be happy to be drinking | | | | candy. |
| their sparkling water while others drink | | | | |
| wine. | | | | If you were to offer a chocolate cake they |
| | | | might not be able to resist a piece. But |
| The trick is in the visuals. The sparkling | | | | there is a huge difference between a small |
| jug garnished with lemon or lime will look | | | | piece of chocolate candy and a serving of |
| like a "designer drink" so diet-conscious | | | | cake and icing. So let them choose just a |
| guests don't feel deprived drinking it. | | | | taste of chocolate instead of tempting them |
| | | | with a large serving. |
| 2. Let the eyes of your dieting guests fall | | | | |
| immediately on a safe appetizer choice for | | | | Now ask yourself - will your diet-conscious |
| them. Position a low fat appetizer front and | | | | guests feel deprived if they are served this |
| center of any other appetizer choices. | | | | kind of menu? |
| | | | |
| A beautiful tray of crisp raw vegetables or a | | | | - "Designer" garnished sparkling water to |
| tempting shrimp ring fills this bill very | | | | drink with appetizers |
| nicely. If guests can reach for attractive | | | | |
| looking low fat appetizers, they won't feel | | | | - Appetizers of fresh vegetable tray and/or |
| so tempted to reach for the more | | | | shrimp cocktail with lemon garnish |
| calorie-laden choices. | | | | |
| | | | - Savory herbed roast chicken or grilled |
| Now you've gotten your guests safely to the | | | | steak |
| table without them breaking their diet | | | | |
| resolutions. Keep on offering choices that | | | | - Squash puree |
| minimize any sense of deprivation. | | | | |
| | | | - As many vegetable and salad dishes as you |
| 3. Choose a main dish that relies on savory | | | | wish |
| herbs for its attraction. Don't choose a dish | | | | |
| that relies on a heavy sauce or gravy. | | | | - Fruit with chocolate bonbons |
| | | | |
| Steak is a dish that most people can eat | | | | I think you know the answer. Of course your |
| happily without loading it with calorie-laden | | | | guests won't feel deprived. |
| sauces. Roast or grilled chicken is another | | | | |
| such choice. A piece of chicken flavored with | | | | Far from feeling deprived, your |
| rosemary or your herbs of choice smells good, | | | | diet-conscious guests will probably heartily |
| looks good and tastes delicious. | | | | enjoy your meal. And they will appreciate |
| | | | your thoughtful provision of diet-conscious |
| Just don't include a large bowl of stuffing | | | | but delicious choices that still allow them |
| on the side, that's a highly tempting item | | | | to stick to their diet resolutions. |
| most of us would have trouble refusing! | | | | |