5 healthy Christmas canapés under 250 calories
Canapés. It’s a word that can strike fear into the heart of anyone trying to eat well or lose baby weight this festive season. It seems wherever you go during party season you’re confronted with a heavily-laden tray full of bite-sized snacks.
This isn’t great news when you’re following the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge which tries to focus on fresh healthy snacks. We’ve put together a list of five Christmas canapes that aren’t laden with calories.
One of the primary problems with canapés, apart from the fact that they are, as the name suggests, a small starter before the ‘real’ food is served (which can blow your daily calorie goal out of the water before you’ve even sat down), is the ingredients used in their creation.
Rich, creamy cheeses, fatty cuts of meat and plenty of food that’s deep-fried seems to abound on trays everywhere.
Luckily there is a way to wrestle back some control over the situation. You can create your own healthy snacks to serve at home or take along to a party or gathering.
This way you’re able to choose what gets included, and more importantly, what is left out.
Our top picks include plenty of delicious, low-calorie veggies to balance out yummy cheese and creamy dips. The best bit? These canapés take less than 20 minutes to prepare and all have less than 250 calories per serve.
Festive in color but not in calories, these snacks are simple to prepare. Slice some cucumber and top with sliced turkey, a dollop of cranberry sauce and a sprinkling of cheese.
Makes 8-10 – 21 calories per serve
Our Top 5 Healthy Christmas Canapés
1. Cucumber, Turkey, Cheese, and Cranberry Stacks
2. Caprese, Olive and Salami Skewers
Almost like a pizza on a stick. A nutritious and easy to prepare savory snack that comes straight from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.
Ingredients (Makes 4 servings)
- 4 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp honey
- pepper
- 4 slices salami
- 4 balls fresh mozzarella
- 1/3 cup black olives, pitted
- 8 cherry tomatoes
- 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
Method
- Combine honey, balsamic and pepper until smooth.
- Tear or slice salami into smaller pieces. Slice the fresh mozzarella. Halve the olives.
- Thread salami, fresh mozzarella, olives, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves on a skewer, alternating to use all the ingredients.
- Drizzle over the balsamic dressing to serve.
Makes 4 serves – 100 calories per skewer
3. Vegetables and Dip
Make a festive dip by combining 1 cup of fresh, grated beetroot with 2 tbsp Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Serve with veggie sticks.
4. Feta Bites
A great savory option that takes no time at all. This recipe comes straight from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.
Ingredients (Makes 5 servings)
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 leek, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 3 free-range eggs, separated
- 1/3 cup reduced-fat feta, crumbled
- pepper
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line 5 muffin tray holes with paper cases.
- Heat olive oil over low heat in a saucepan. Add the leek and thyme and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the leek starts to become golden.
- Add the balsamic vinegar and cook for a further few minutes, until the balsamic has reduced, set aside.
- Whisk the egg whites until firm. In a separate bowl give the yolks a whisk and add the crumbled feta and season with pepper.
- Now slowly fold through the egg whites with the yolk mixture.
- Divide the leek and thyme mixture evenly into the base of each of the prepared muffin cases.
- Divide the egg batter evenly over the top of the leek mix in each muffin case.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until firm and allow them to cool in the muffin tray.
- One feta bite is one serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
110 calories per serve
5. Brie and Onion Cheese Bites
Up the ‘wow’ factor by whipping up a batch of these little bites of deliciousness. Challenge members can check out the recipe by searching the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge recipe hub.
Are you ready to become a Healthy Mommy?
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To find out more on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge click here.
