Healthy Snacks that are
Worthy of the Red Carpet

Written by Gloria Tsang, RD and Christina Newberry
Published in March 2010

(HealthCastle.com) Academy Awards night is coming fast, and that means that millions of families are getting ready to sit down, tune in, and watch their favorite stars celebrate their success. Rather than settling in with a bag of chips and some popcorn, why not give Oscar night a glam makeover with some fancy, healthy snacks you and your family can enjoy in front of the TV?

Top 4 Red-Carpet-Worthy Healthy Snacks

1. Smoked salmon on endive
   
   This sounds (and looks) fancy, but it's really very simple. Endive is just a salad green that has a unique, bitter taste. Endive has virtually no calories, and it's an excellent source of fiber, as well as Vitamins A and C. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help boost your HDL (good cholesterol), plus it's packed with protein. To serve, just place a small piece of smoked salmon on an individual endive leaf.
   
   
2. Fruit paired with chocolate
   
   Serve fresh grapes with dark chocolate fondue to satisfy your sweet tooth and load up on antioxidants. Purple grapes offer powerful antioxidants that have been shown to help reduce blood clotting and reduce damage to artery walls, plus they contain manganese, Vitamin B6 and potassium. Dark chocolate also contains flavonoids, a type of polyphenol antioxidant. To serve, simply melt chocolate in a fondue pot (or in the microwave) and serve with a big bowl of grapes. For an even simpler version with similar health benefits, simply serve bagged chocolate-covered cherries, blueberries, or figs.
   
   
3. Nut platter
   
   If you've got a party platter with a few compartments, use each compartment to display a different type of nut. Nuts in general are high in plant sterols and omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts in particular are an excellent choice, as they're one of the best plant sources of protein, and they're rich in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium and antioxidants such as Vitamin E. Pistachios are also great, as they're packed with antioxidants, fiber, and good fats. Plus, because they are served in-shell, pistachios take longer to eat, so you eat less but still feel satisfied. Add some dried cranberries to round out this snack with some Vitamin C - and even more antioxidants.
   
   
4. Whole grain chips with homemade salsa
   
   Homemade salsa doesn't have to be a lot of work - it can be as simple as throwing some tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime in a food processor. Rather than serving a store-bought version that's full of chemicals, you'll have a much tastier salsa that's loaded with lycopene and Vitamin A. For a fancier version, make a mango salsa instead to load up on Vitamins A and C plus beta carotene. You won't want to eat too many chips, of course, but if you serve a whole grain version, you'll be getting B vitamins, Vitamin E, magnesium, iron, and fiber, as well as other valuable antioxidants not found in some fruits and vegetables.