The Atkins diet stresses very low carbohydrate eating, which for some people can mean some difficulty in finding appetizers. If you're used to serving chips and soda to whet your guests' appetites, you'll need to make some changes once you're on this plan. However, since the Atkins plan does not restrict fats or proteins, there are still many delicious choices that you can make to serve your guests--and they won't even know you're on a diet.
Meat Ideas
Meat is very low carb, so it's perfect for the Atkins plan. You'll have to skip many sauces and dips since they can have sugar, but there are still plenty of choices. Serve your guests chicken wings or mini-drumsticks with a sugar-free dry rub, chicken or beef satay with a homemade, low carb peanut dipping sauce or beef carpaccio, a dish that pairs slivers of raw meat with greens and Parmesan cheese. Any meat could be turned into a good appetizer as long as you check the carb content of any sauce or rub you use.
Fish Ideas
Sushi is a great choice for an Atkins-friendly appetizer if you skip the sushi rice. For instance a spicy tuna roll combines a chili mayonnaise sauce and avocados with sushi grade tuna wrapped in seaweed. Traditionally rice is included, but the dish tastes fine without it. A fish-based appetizer that needs no modification is bacon-wrapped scallops. Pate and lox can also be served on lettuce leaves or slices of cucumber instead of bread or crackers.
Vegetable Ideas
You can still serve crudites as an appetizer as long as you choose low-carb vegetables such as cucumbers, green peppers, celery, asparagus, summer squash and zucchini. Check the carb-content of any purchased dips, or make your own with spices, sour cream and mayo.
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