How to plan a healthy dinner party menu, tips

Parties are always fun, especially when it’s a birthday, festival, or anniversary, with loads of cheesy, creamy, buttery, and sugary dishes. Whatever the occasion is, we always tend to stick to one single menu that we use every time. However, when it comes to those friends of ours who are vegans, diabetics, health enthusiasts, and lactose intolerants. We need to pay extra attention to the menu; luckily, we have a huge variety of recipes that can be a Go-To dish for anyone.

Before deciding on anything for your most awaited party, take suggestions from your friends and family. You can ask them a variety of questions while inviting them. Moreover, it turns out to be the best thing to do before planning anything.

You can start by doing these things:

1. Make calls: Yes, You read it right! Make calls to your friends and family members to invite them and ask for suggestions. You can also ask them about their ongoing health conditions or if they are allergic to something. It will give you an idea of what to add to your shopping list and what not.

2. Ask for Recipes: You can ask them about some of the dishes that anyone can enjoy and will be good for them too. And without any hustle, you’ll be ready with a list of recipes for your upcoming event.

3. Don’t burn yourself out over starters: I always say, don’t try to cook everything. Don’t run after being the best cook. Instead, cook something that can be enjoyed by everyone and anyone. You can still stick to 2-3 customizable starters and be a good cook. Of course, the credit is all yours!

4. Don’t forget to include Vegan or Gluten and Dairy-free dishes on the table: There will be some of your friends who cannot cope-up with dairy products or are vegan. In this manner, you can use these products as your base for the main dishes.

5. Share your recipes: Let them know what you are thinking about cooking and share your recipes with them so that they can suggest to you which will be the better option. This way, you will sort your menu easily.

6. Make your side dishes the main star: While not cooking a lot of entrees, you can rely on the side dishes so that no one feels left out, and everyone can enjoy their meals while sticking to their diet plans. Roasted veggies, hummus, salads, beans, lentil soups, and many more.
Here are some ideas for dishes that will serve every palette and can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone.

1. Quinoa-stuffed mushroom: You can serve it as an entrée, and the good part of that is that it is vegan, gluten and dairy-free.
2. Roasted Chickpeas: You can keep them as an entree or a side dish. This, too, is vegan, Gluten and dairy-free.
3. Veggies & Cauliflower Hummus: If some of your guests are a fan of Mediterranean cuisine, they will love this. Serve it as an entree. And this too is vegan, Gluten and dairy-free.
4. Roasted Veggies and Tofu: Who doesn’t like roasted veggies? Well, this can be one of the best side dishes to add to the menu. It is vegan.
5. No-cook Black Bean Salad: Regular salads have been outdated; you can add some twist to your party menu by adding these simple yet delicious salads. This is also vegan, and you can serve it as a side dish.
6. Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad: The best choice you can make for summer parties and get-togethers.
7. Tofu Lettuce Wraps: Everyone likes wraps but giving a twist to your regular wrap can be a total game changer for your party. (Don’t forget to keep some extra fresh lettuce leaves ready in your refrigerator, as your guests may ask you for more!)
8. Cauliflower Rice Bowls with Grilled Chicken: An easy-to-make Greek-inspired rice bowl yet delicious, can prove to be your best friend at parties. Why? It takes only 30 minutes to prepare it. And your meat lover friends are going to love this.
9. Oats Idli: Fan of South-Indian cuisine? Try this, and thank me later!
10. Fresh Fruits and dairy-free chocolate desserts:
11. Dairy and Gluten-free cookies
There is a long list of healthy yet delicious dishes. And you can always experiment with your dishes to make them healthy.

Pro Tip: If you are buying anything packaged, then make sure you read the Nutrition table attentively. The packaged or Frozen meals can be a real party pooper, and you don’t want your party to get flopped just because of one bad boy

References:
https://www.eatthis.com/healthy-dinner-party/
https://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/21332/holidays-occasions/occasions/parties-entertaining/dinner-party/
https://food.ndtv.com/lists/5-healthy-indian-dinner-recipes-2023318