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Eat the Good Fat First
Choosing healthy-fat appetizers may help you eat less and lose weight
If you're trying to watch your weight, you don't have to forgo appetizers altogether. In fact, choosing the right starter before your meal may actually help you eat less overall. So don't deprive yourself of that fresh whole-grain bread and olive oil the next time a waiter brings it to your table. It may be your diet's best friend.
Eating a small amount of healthy unsaturated fat -- think olive oil, nuts, avocado, and fish -- before a meal triggers a chain reaction in your digestive system that slows the rate at which your stomach empties, which means you feel fuller faster. It also helps keep your blood sugar levels from spiking after your meal and makes it easier for your body to absorb fat-soluble nutrients, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as lycopene and lutein.
It doesn't take much: Just 70 calories worth will do the trick. That's about 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil, 6 walnuts, 10 almonds, 1/4 of a medium avocado, or 2 ounces of smoked salmon.
So ditch the chips, and instead try some of these delicious healthy-fat appetizers.
Spicy Almonds
Makes 2 cups
Serving size: 12 almonds
Calories per serving: 89
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups dry-roasted, unsalted almonds
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet until hot but not smoking, and then add the almonds and stir to combine.
2. Add the Worcestershire sauce, sugar, chili powder, and salt; stir until the almonds are evenly coated.
3. Remove from heat, and spread the almonds in an even layer on a baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle evenly with cayenne pepper and allow to cool.
Savory Olive Tapenade
Makes 10 servings
Serving size: 2 tablespoons
Calories per serving: 74
Ingredients
1 teaspoon capers
3/4 cup green olives, pitted
3/4 cup black olives, pitted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor, and pulse until the olives are finely chopped.
2. Serve with baked whole-wheat pita chips or thinly sliced and toasted whole-wheat bread.
Zesty Pesto Spread
Makes 14 servings
Serving size: 2 tablespoons
Calories per serving: 70
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup fresh basil
2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup walnuts
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Combine all the ingredients, except the olive oil, in a food processor until the mixture is finely chopped.
2. Then, with the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until it's all incorporated.
3. Spread onto whole-wheat crackers.
Here are four more healthy-fat appetizers from the RealAge Recipe Box:
Bon appetit!
RealAge Benefit: Enjoying healthy fat first in each meal can make your RealAge as much as 1.8 years younger.
