- 296
August 1956
Purdue University
Home Economics Extension
CALORIE DODGERS
Calorie counting is a great game now days as everyone is conscious of their weight. This is good because normal weight will do more than anything else to make for a healthier, more	active and happier life. Taking good care of our health is the best health insurance we can have.
We need not go without desserts entirely. The secret lies in the controlled use of sugar and other high-calorie ingredients (chocolate, jellies, nutmeats, salad dressings). We can use synthetic sweeteners, too, to make delectable desserts.
A gracious hostess will cooperate by trying to serve low-calorie refreshments to her guests. The purpose of refreshments is to provide a social hour and to promote friendliness - not to try to out-do the previous hostess. In clubs where one or two wise hostesses have started cutting down on the amount of whipped cream and pastries other members have followed the same pattern. Some clubs have adopted a custom limiting the refreshments to a beverage and one other food, or have offered fruits, salads, crackers or other lower calorie foods.

The attractiveness of the food and the perfection of the service are more important than the quantity of food served.

EMPTY CALORIES
Don't serve "empty calories" or health cheating foods, such as, soft drinks, cakes, pies and other foods which furnish only sugar and rich fats.

Fresh or dried fruits, milk drinks, whole-grain cereals in cookies, crackers, breads, small sandwiches, vegetable or fruit juices are health foods because they furnish other health values, such as minerals, vitamins and proteins.
Refreshments should be light and easily digested. The word refreshments means
"refreshing" not filling.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NUTRITIOUS REFRESHMENTS
1.	Vegetable and fruit salad served plain or with vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper, or one of the low or non-caloric salad dressings.
2.	Cheese spread on whole wheat crackers and served with hot tea.
3.	Baked custard made from non-fat milk and sugar substitute with a rolled sugarless orange cookie.*
4.	Relish plate which has celery and carrot sticks, raw cauliflower pieces, green pepper rings, cucumber rings and tomato wedges. No dressing is needed.
5.	Fresh fruit in season: melon, berries, pears, and citrus fruit.
6.	Fruit bowl: crisp, juicy apples make a good choice with bananas and grapes and good finger foods.
7.	Fruit cup. Here are two good combinations: 1. Pineapple chunks, orange sections, banana slices. 2. Apple wedges, orange sections, white seedless grapes.
8. Fruit beverages: tomato juice, lemonade, orange juice, grape juice or blended fruit or vegetable juices.
9.	Milk Is an excellent beverage served cold, either plain or with
fruit juices added.
* - Recipe given in this leaflet.