Serving Diet Food at Parties

How do you feel about a host or hostess serving only diet foods at a party? Most hosts and hostesses try to make several dishes on the lighter side or with vegetarians in mind, but I do know a few who will *only* make dishes that are under X amount of calories or include certain “super foods.” I’m not thinking of people who cook for a particular health condition, but rather those people who are always on a diet or get a little crazy about sugar or want to subject all their guests to their personal low fat, low carb diet.

Personally, I’m a bit conflicted. On one hand, it’s up to the host to decide the menu and it’s his/her party. On the other hand, splurging a bit on a party every month or two won’t make or break a diet. Plus, some recipes just don’t taste right if they are modified too much.

What do you think?

Although it’s the host’s party, he or she is throwing the party for the benefit of the guests, so I think it’s important to take the enjoyment of those guests into consideration.  There’s nothing wrong with providing healthier options and looking out for guests that are on a diet, are vegetarians, etc.  (My husband is diabetic, and we always appreciate it when a host remembers something as simple as buying some diet pop.)  However, I don’t think a host’s diet should take precedence over offering foods that guests will actually be eager to eat.  For instance, I know some people can be just as adamant about not wanting to eat artificial sweeteners as some dieters are about cutting calories.  If you can’t splurge a little at a party, when can you?

I think people appreciate having healthy food at a party and not just high fat, high calorie food. Healthy party food doesn’t just mean veggie platters. It can also mean baked, instead of fried appetizers and fresh salsa instead of sour cream dip. A host should try to be aware of special health concerns or food preferences and be sure that everyone will have a good selection of party food to choose from.

I’m sure there are people who will disagree with me, but I don’t feel compelled to serve food to my guests that I wouldn’t serve to my family.

Well, if you have GOOD diet recipes, no one will really know that you are serving diet foods. My family members usually end up asking for recipes for the low carb dips and sugar free desserts that I make and are shocked to find out that they are both diet-friendly and easy to make.