Healthier Fare for Your Labor Day Party

Posted on September 5, 2010 by Lolita Carrico

Ahh … a day off. If you’re throwing or attending a Labor Day party, why not consider a healthier dish than some of the traditional party foods? Potato salad, loaded hamburgers and brownies can pack a hefty calorie punch. And the labor it will take to work off those calories isn’t really worth it.

Here are some options for healthier Labor Day fare.

- Build Your Own Shish Kabobs. Prepare a variety of shish kabob-ready meats and vegetables and then let guests build their own kabob before you put them on the grill.

- Greek Pasta Salad. No mayo means no worries when this pasta salad is sitting at an outdoor party. Feta adds a tasty twist to this party pleaser. Use whole-wheat pasta for added nutrition.

- Lighter lemonade. Instead of serving lemonade, squeeze some fresh citrus into a pitcher of sparkling water and add slices of orange, lemon and lime for color and fun.

- Light Potato Salad. While grandma’s mayo-heavy potato salad might be a favorite, there are healthier options that still please the palate while not landing so heavy on the hips. Cooking Light has five healthier recipes for potato salad.

- Burgers. Instead of a heavy, loaded burger try grilled portabello mushrooms or turkey burgers instead. Or try one of these healthy burger recipes from Eating Well.