Healthier Holiday Parties

Healthful eating is truly a matter of balance. Pick a balance involving higher calorie favorites and lower calorie choices. Balance larger portions of special treats with smaller portions of other favorites. If you plan first it can be easy to take pleasure in healthful eating.

• When at a party, start by inspecting the food table and deciding which items you really want to eat and in what portions. Raw vegetables and fresh fruit offer fiber and are excellent fillers. If you enjoy dip, take just enough to "dip". Boiled shrimp and/or crab are great choices when topped with a bit of lemon or cocktail sauce. Once you have a full plate, leave the food table then eat in another area.

• Second, holiday parties are about visiting, so spend some time between plates of food talking with old and new acquaintances. Talking will help facilitate digestion and pace your rate of eating.

A Healthier Pumkpin Pie

1 cup ginger snaps
16 oz canned pumpkin
1/2 cup egg whites (about 4)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp pumplin pie spice (cloves, cinnamon, ginger)
12 oz evaporated skim milk

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grind the cookies in a food processor. Lightly spray a 9" glass pie pan with vegetable cooking spray. Pat the cookie crumbs into the pan evenly. Mix the rest of the ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Pour into the crust and bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (approximately 45 minutes). Put in the refrigerator and allow to cool before slicing.

Serves 8. Each slice contains: 165 calories, 1.5 g fat, .5 g saturated fat, 1.5 mg cholesterol, 170 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 6 g protein.

Diabetic Exchange: 2 bread

**This pumpkin pie saves 151 calories and 12 grams of fat per slice from the classic version and it tastes the same!