Looking to ring in the New Year with cocktails that are lower in calories? Here are three delicious options worthy of a special celebration any time of the year with a little fruit tossed in for good measure. For an elegant pink champagne cocktail, to each glass add 4 ounces of dry champagne or Spanish cava and 1 ounce of a raspberry- or rhubarb-flavored liquor like Aperol, a milder and less alcoholic aperitif compared to Campari. Top it off with a few fresh raspberries. For a pear-flavored Cosmopolitan, place 2 pear slices (you can leave on the skin), 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1 ounce of cranberry juice in a shaker. Add 1-1/2 ounces of a citrus-flavored vodka and 1/2 ounce of triple sec, followed by ice. Shake well, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a pinch of cinnamon or ground cardamom. Want a festive recipe for a large gathering? Try a zesty gin fizz made with the luscious citrus of the season, blood oranges. Blood Orange Gin Fizz 3 blood oranges 1-1/2 cups gin 2 tablespoons sweetener of your choice 1/2 teaspoon bitters 2 bottles chilled champagne Cut one orange into 12 segments to use for garnishing and set aside. Remove the peel and pith from the other two oranges. Chop the segments and then mash them in a bowl. Add…  read on >

Rushed for lunch? Yes, that nearby fast-food chain is convenient, but by tweaking your choices you can cut unwanted salt, fat and calories. When the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updates its food guidelines, it doesn’t exactly break down how you’re supposed to fit all the healthy parts of the food pyramid into your lunch. To make it easier to make healthy choices, the Choose My Plate initiative crafted a campaign that suggests small changes that take little effort, but ones that will rev up the nutrition quotient for your midday meal. These can be as simple as switching out one item for another. Think vinaigrette instead of creamy salad dressings, and grilled proteins instead of those fried chicken tenders. If two slices of pizza with pepperoni are your favorite go-to option, replace one slice with a side salad and have the other topped with vegetables. You can apply these same principles when you pack a brown-bag lunch. Modifying perennial lunchtime favorites just a speck can make a real difference in nutrients without sacrificing taste. For instance, instead of peanut butter and jelly with a small bag of chips, switch to peanut butter and banana and add baby carrots for some crunch. You’ll cut calories by about 45% and slice saturated fat in half. Love chicken salad? Next time it’s on your menu, cut the…  read on >

Elaborate feasts are a centerpiece of the holidays, but all that food can make people with restricted diets feel left out, a new study suggests. People whose allergies or health, religious or cultural norms keep them from sharing the meals with others can leave them lonely, researchers say. “Despite being physically present with others, having a food restriction leaves people feeling left out because they are not able to take part in bonding over the meal,” said researcher Kaitlin Woolley, an assistant professor of marketing at Cornell University. A review of seven previously published studies found that restricted diets predicted loneliness among both children and adults. In one experiment, for instance, when people without food restrictions were given restrictions, they felt lonely. This suggests that these feelings aren’t the result of other issues or just picky eating, Woolley said. More evidence came from people who attended a Passover Seder. When they were reminded that they couldn’t eat leavened foods, participants felt lonelier. But within their restricted group, they felt a stronger bond. In earlier research, Woolley found that strangers felt more connected and trusting when they shared the same food. Also, sharing food from the same plate increased cooperation between strangers. But restricted sharing makes people suffer “food worries,” she said. They’re concerned about what they can eat and if others will judge them for…  read on >

Finger foods are delicious, but they can pack on the calories even when you just nibble. Here are two appetizer makeovers with plenty of flavor and a lot less fat. Jalapeno poppers are a favorite thanks to their creamy filling and crunchy coating. By baking instead of deep frying them, you’ll cut back on hundreds of calories yet keep the crunch. Another crowd pleaser is taco dip. Ingredients with a lower fat content make all the difference in this recipe. Baked Jalapeno Poppers 12 fresh jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise, stems, seeds and membranes removed 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese 1 cup grated part-skim mozzarella 1 teaspoon cumin or fennel seeds, slightly crushed 1 teaspoon mild ground chili powder 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 egg 2 egg whites 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 1/2 teaspoon salt Note: Wear disposable gloves to prepare the jalapenos to minimize the capsaicin that gets on your fingers. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a large baking sheet with nonstick spray and set aside. In a large bowl, mash together cream cheese, mozzarella, cumin or fennel seeds, chili powder and black pepper. In a shallow dish, whisk the egg and egg whites. Spread out the flour on a sheet of wax paper. Spread breadcrumbs on another sheet of wax paper. Fill each pepper half…  read on >