SEATTLE — Whether you're throwing a backyard bash or keeping a cozy with close friends, everyone wants to remove the stress from hosting. Nutritionist Whitney Stuart has three delicious ideas that'll make any summer party an instant hit and they couldn't be easier.
"We want to think smarter, not harder," she said. "We want to be the hostess with the mostess, but we want functional and fun ingredients like no one wants to feel weighed down after a girl's night."
Stuart's first option is a versatile one — stuffed Medjool Dates.
Because dates have such a distinct caramel flavor Stuart says you can stuff them with really anything.
"We have a PB&J Date which has frozen berries and peanut butter. We're getting this caramel flavor from the date you can literally put anything in there," she said. "But I like to balance it with either a sweet or a savory. Next to it we actually have goat cheese and pistachio on top. We get a mix of salty savory with that sweet caramel flavor."
Dates are not just easy to prepare and delicious, they are also loaded in fiber, antioxidants and minerals.
Stuart's next tip is to sub out regular soda for Olipop.
“This is the type of soda I wish we had as a kid. It has flavor, but with only 2 to 5g of sugar per container and 6 to 9g of fiber, all of them under 50 calories, this is a no brainer for a swap up," she said. "I have never met and tried something more approachable because even though it's healthy, they still put flavor first."
Olipop sodas can also be used to craft delicious mocktails like the Creamsicle which can be made by adding coconut milk to an Orange Cream Olipop. You can also make a Cherry Limeade by adding lime to a Cherry Cola Olipop.
Stuart's third and ultimate hack are B.T.R Nation bars — especially for the host of the party.
"We don't realize our own health when we're cooking all day long," she said. "So, when you're putting your board together, you're going to grab a Beta Nation bar. Now, this is your clean fueled bar packed with plant protein, fiber, no sugars, no sugar alcohols, no stevia, no seed oils — and they taste like dessert.”
For more information, go to Whitness Nutrition's website.
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