Oh my goodness, everything at the holiday parties I've been to looks so good. Those finger foods are disastrous. They tend to be loaded with fat and sugar calories-certainly more than are in my daily food budget.

Fat contributes to more than half the calories found in most dips, canapé' toppings and quiches. Pates and cheeses can be even fattier and may also contain high levels of cholesterol. The key to successful weight maintenance is to avoid getting in the grazing mode at parties. If so, you will quickly eat more than you want without realizing it. To keep a check on how much you are eating it helps to take one plateful of food at a time rather than constantly picking at pieces.

With a little imagination, when you give your party you can offer guests lower in fat hors d'oeurves and lower in fat and sugar desserts that are tasty as well as nutritious. Start by using fresh ingredients. For example, a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables gives color to a finger food display as well as providing fiber and essential vitamins and minerals.

There are many terrific recipes designed for party life in Smart Eating. If you don't have a copy yet, call my office (1-480-242-4812) or hit reply on this button and say, "I want the book" and we'll ask for the necessary information to get a hardback copy to you for $10 postage paid. That's a 2/3 discount off the retail price.

Meantime, until the book arrives, for dips with less than half the fat of traditional varieties try these 3 simple ideas:

CHUNKY SALSA:

Mix skinned, de-seeded, and chopped tomatoes with chopped onions. Add de-seeded, chopped jalapenos to taste. Combine with some wine vinegar, lime juice, cilantro and seasoning. Mix and serve.

SMOKED SALMON

You can buy these dips now but save money if you make them yourself by processing some smoked salmon, low fat cream cheese and low fat sour cream. Add finely chopped green onions for taste and texture.

HUMMUS

Puree canned chickpeas, some sesame paste, garlic and a pinch of cumin in a food processor until smooth. Sprinkle with paprika before you serve.

Traditional dipping foods like chips and crackers can be high in fat. Just ten tortilla chips contain about 120 calories and more than 6 grams of fat. For healthier dipping, serve your guests a selection of the following snacks with your low fat dips:

Unsalted breadsticks

Slices of warmed pita bread

Baked potato skins

A selection of crudities, including asparagus spears, sticks of zucchini, carrot, celery and the great antioxidants, red peppers, broccoli and cauliflower.

Bon Appetit!