Healthy Foods For Appetizers

It’s possible to enjoy food while following a healthy diet. A change in diet will help to keep pounds off and to maintain overall health. For instance, “When eating out, consider having two low-calorie appetizers instead of an entrée,” suggests the American Heart Association. Substituting appetizers for an entrée will give you that full and satisfied feeling without the full-portion calories. Appetizers are actually more in line with regular portion sizes, says Healthcastle.com.

Fish, Poultry and Meat

Many restaurants offer low-calorie appetizers made with shrimp and other fish. One well-liked appetizer served at restaurants is shrimp cocktail, and it’s also easy to prepare at home. WeightWatchers® online offers a recipe for dill shrimp that you can easily prepare at home or make for parties. Salmon is also a low-calorie favorite when it comes to appetizers. Satisfy taste buds with different flavors and varieties, such as smoked salmon.

Chicken and beef appetizers are commonly listed on menus in restaurants; however, avoid apparent fat-laden poultry or meat appetizers. Make appetizers at home also using lean beef or poultry, such as vegetable and beef kabobs or chicken breast kabobs. Also, for any fish, poultry or meat appetizer, avoid rich and trans-fatty sauces. If you’re eating at a restaurant, inquire about the preparation of sauces prior to ordering, suggests WeightWatchers. Ask for sauces on the side so that you can control the amount added to your food.

Health benefits from appetizers made with fish, poultry or meat include vitamin and mineral nutrition, such as zinc, B vitamins and others, according to the “Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia.” You will benefit especially from the protein, which boosts metabolism and helps to maintain muscle.

Vegetables and Fruit

Some tasty appetizers include healthy vegetables and fruits. WeightWatchers online recommends its nutritious recipes: asparagus guacamole and mini-veggie kebobs for low-calorie appetizers you can make at home. When you’re at restaurants, look for appetizers featuring vegetables or fruit. Yogurt with fruit, such as blueberries, is satisfying as an appetizer or as a dessert. Avoid fattening sauces and dressings slathered over vegetable and fruit appetizers. “The veggies may arrive dripping with butter and cream,” says Healthcastle, so ask questions before ordering. Also, ask for sauces and dressings as side servings if you’re not sure about the ingredients.

Vegetables and fruit are naturally low in calories and provide many antioxidant vitamins and minerals, according to the “Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia." Most fruit provides an abundance of vitamin C, which fights and protects against disease as a primary antioxidant. Many vegetables also provide vitamin C and other important antioxidants, such as vitamins A and E as well as minerals, such as manganese and potassium.

Besides its disease-fighting power, vitamin A promotes tissue health, such as helping to maintain smoothness and functioning of skin and mucous membranes. Beyond its antioxidant effects, vitamin E "stabilizes cell membranes" and boosts "formation of red blood cells, muscles and other tissues", according to the "Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia." Manganese helps hormone production and fertility as well as regulate blood sugar levels, and potassium helps regulate blood pressure.

Soups and Salads

If you’re at a restaurant and can’t find low-calorie appetizers on the menu, you can always pick low-fat stand-ins, such as soup and salad. Choose light broth and vegetable soups over heavy cream soups. Even if a restaurant doesn’t offer soup on its menu, you can usually find salads. Don’t forget about the option of eating fruit salad. Again, choose low-fat dressings and ask for side servings so that you can control how much dressing is on your salad. Choose low-calorie soup and salad recipes to make at home, such as the recipe from WeightWatchers: lentil salad with fresh mint and goat cheese.