Tried and Tasted: Party Food

We like to make sure the Taste Team are working hard. Even when they asked for a party we insisted they invited the healthiest low calorie party food they could find.

Like everyone they meet at parties, the Taste Team were judging on:

(appearances)(and then on tastes).

Check out the guest list below. But which were the life and soul and which were left sitting in the corner?

Waitrose Perfectly Balanced Butterscotch Ripple Iced Dessert

More low fat than low calorie but the Taste Team were very high in praise. An excellent, refreshing flavour and occasional toffee chunks and sauce ensure your tongue never gets bored. You may have trouble sharing it around though.

 

	Per ¼ Pot	100g/149ml
CALORIES	130kcal	151kcal
CARBS	26.0g	30.9g
FAT	1.3g	1.5g
SODIUM	trace	trace
PROTEIN	2.9g	3.4g
FIBRE	2.5g	3.0g

 

Morrisons Reduced Fat Soured Cream & Chive Dip

From the appearance it's yet another low fat dip but it's the creamy texture and a slight citrus edge that makes it a cut above the rest. Could try to be lower in fat though.

 

	Per 50g Serving	Per 100g
CALORIES	86kcal	171kcal
CARBS	2.2g	4.4g
FAT	7.9g	15.7g
SODIUM	0.1g	0.2g
PROTEIN	1.5g	2.9g
FIBRE	1.1g	2.2g

Sainsbury's BGTY Alcohol Free Christmas Pudding

Despite being teetotal nobody considered this boring. A good mix of flavours and textures and carrying noticeably less fat.

 

	Per ½ Pudding	Per 100g
CALORIES	311kcal	274kcal
CARBS	67.5g	59.5g
FAT	3.0g	2.7g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.2
PROTEIN	3.3g	2.9g
FIBRE	4.2g	3.7g

Waitrose Perfectly Balanced Fruit Cake Slices

Very sweet and crunchy like it's saturated with sugar. Chewy fruit pieces, and moist cake, balance this a little.

 

	Per Cake	Per 100g
CALORIES	65kcal	295kcal
CARBS	14.2g	64.5g
FAT	0.4g	1.6g
SODIUM	trace	0.19g
PROTEIN	1.1g	5.1g
FIBRE	0.4g	1.8g

Bacardi Breezer Zesty Lemon Half Sugar

Still the same amount of alcohol but there is a significant drop in calories. Doesn't taste particularly like just a healthier version but can seem "a bit chemically". Better toward the end of the bottle though...

 

	Per 275ml Bottle	Per 100ml
CALORIES	121.3kcal	44.1kcal
CARBS	10.2g	3.7g
FAT	0g	0g
SODIUM	0.1g	0.026g
PROTEIN	0g	0g
FIBRE	0g	0g

 

Marks & Spencer Reduced Fat Houmous with Focaccia Breadsticks

A firm texture and better than average taste mark this out above the rest. Fairly lower in calories too. Accessorised with breadsticks which weren't quite up to the same standard.

 

	Per ½ Pack	Per 100g
CALORIES	429kcal	260kcal
CARBS	30.4g	18.4g
FAT	27.7g	16.8g
SODIUM	1.0g	0.62g
PROTEIN	14.7g	8.9g
FIBRE	12.9g	7.8g

Iceland Good Choice Mandarin Cheesecake

	Per 1/6 Cake	Per 100g
CALORIES	172kcal	205kcal
CARBS	28.3g	33.7g
FAT	5.0g	5.9g
SODIUM	0.1g	0.2g
PROTEIN	3.6g	4.3g
FIBRE	0.8g	1.0g

Quite sweet but not unpleasant. A good crunchy base to balance the texture. A good cheesecake to balance the usual festive desserts.

 

Tesco Healthy Living Spinach and Ricotta Piccadella

Seems to be trying to disguise its pizzeria roots by changing its name. Not as brash, or as calorific, as some pizzas. Quite a subtle flavour that may be too bland for some.

 

	Per 265g Pizza	Per 100g
CALORIES	423kcal	159kcal
CARBS	68.9g	26.0g
FAT	5.3g	2.0g
SODIUM	0.4g	0.2g
PROTEIN	24.8g	9.4g
FIBRE	7.7g	2.9g

Marks & Spencer COU Pasta with Tomato & Basil Chicken

Looked quite promising but never really delivered. 'A little too sweet and damp' was the consensus. Some may wish to persevere with it, especially since it's so low in fat and calories.

 

	Per ½ Pack	Per 100g
CALORIES	68.8kcal	110kcal
CARBS	8.7g	13.9g
FAT	1.6g	2.5g
SODIUM	0.1g	0.14g
PROTEIN	4.7g	7.5g
FIBRE	0.7g	1.1g

Sainsbury's BGTY Roasted Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza

Started well with an appealing look but let down by a 'homemade' taste and the unusual addition of seeds. And then you realise it's not really that low in calories.

 

	Per Pizza	Per 100g
CALORIES	456kcal	228kcal
CARBS	50.6g	25.3g
FAT	14.2g	7.1g
SODIUM	0.6g	0.3g
PROTEIN	31.6g	15.8g
FIBRE	10.6g	5.3g

Tesco Healthy Living Reduced Fat Houmous

A pleasing flavour and less calories than standard houmous. Could be too soft and nutty tasting to convert everyone but a good low calorie option.

 

	Per 50g Serving	Per 100g
CALORIES	97kcal	194kcal
CARBS	8.6g	17.1g
FAT	5.6g	11.1g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.4g
PROTEIN	3.2g	6.3g
FIBRE	1.4g	2.7g

Sainsbury's BGTY Strawberry Trifles

The more popular of the trifles. Scores well as a healthy option but feels very soggy and artificial.

 

	Per 125g Pot	Per 100g
CALORIES	135kcal	108kcal
CARBS	24.9g	19.9g
FAT	2.6g	2.1g
SODIUM	trace	trace
PROTEIN	3.0g	2.4g
FIBRE	0.6g	0.5g

Tesco Healthy Living Tiramisu

An attractive pick-me-up for the party, if a slightly obvious and generic one. Could be a bit too fluffy for some and too much like a coffee mousse but it's a lot healthier than average.

 

	Per 90g Pot	Per 100g
CALORIES	172kcal	191kcal
CARBS	24.7g	27.4g
FAT	3.9g	4.3g
SODIUM	0.1g	0.1g
PROTEIN	7.0g	7.8g
FIBRE	1.8g	2.0g

Anchor Light Dairy Cream

A nice if slightly forgettable flavour. Very low calorie and low fat compared to standard versions. If you're looking for something to give a finishing touch to a dessert (or even a party game) you could do a lot worse.

 

	Per 55ml Serving	Per 100ml
CALORIES	24.8kcal	45kcal
CARBS	1.0g	1.8g
FAT	2.1g	3.9g
SODIUM	n/a	n/a
PROTEIN	0.3g	0.6g
FIBRE	0g	0g

Sainsbury's BGTY Garlic Baguette Reduced Fat

The biggest discussion caused here was over whether 'garlicky' was a word; as in "it's not very garlicky". It's quite low in calories but seems too much like bread spread with vaguely flavoured margarine.

 

	Per ½ Baguette	Per 100g
CALORIES	265kcal	279kcal
CARBS	42.0g	44.2g
FAT	7.6g	8.0g
SODIUM	0.3g	0.3g
PROTEIN	7.3g	7.7g
FIBRE	3.0g	3.2g

Tesco Healthy Living Brussels Pâté

A good reduction of fat and calories that seems to come at a price: a soft, mushy texture and a weak, bland flavour.

 

	Per 25g Serving	Per 100g
CALORIES	50kcal	200kcal
SUGARS	trace	trace
FAT	3.8g	15.2g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.8g

Danone Goodies Low Fat Strawberry Trifle

Another reminder of the joys of homemade trifle. Firmer sponge than some other trifles but possibly because it has soaked up less flavour. May be too firm and needs to let itself go more.

 

	Per 115g Pot	Per 100g
CALORIES	148kcal	129kcal
CARBS	29.9g	26.0g
FAT	2.1g	1.8g
SODIUM	0.1g	trace
PROTEIN	2.5g	2.2g
FIBRE	0.3g	0.3g

Sainsbury's BGTY Classic Dip Selection

Dips are often difficult to approach at a party but always in demand once things get going. This foursome failed to leave much of an impression; straying toward the bland and the sloppy. Only half the calories and fat of average dips though.

 

	Avg 25g Serving	Per 100g
CALORIES	43.3kcal	173kcal
CARBS	2.4g	9.5g
FAT	3.3g	13.2g
SODIUM	0.1g	0.2g
PROTEIN	1.0g	4.0g
FIBRE	0.0g	0.1g

Tesco Healthy Living Multipack Dips

Very few differences between this and the Sainsbury's one. Same flavours and roughly the same nutritional values. A little firmer yet a little weaker; take your pick.

 

	Avg 25g Serving	Avg 100g
CALORIES	45.8kcal	185kcal
CARBS	1.9g	7.3g
FAT	3.9g	15.5g
SODIUM	0.1g	0.2g
PROTEIN	0.9g	3.6g
FIBRE	trace	0.2g

Tesco Reduced Fat Cream Crackers

Often ignored at parties and taken for granted. The team may have been a bit harsh here. Maybe the thing to notice was that they didn't stand out and taste 'low fat' and that they are a good low fat alternative.

 

	Per 8g Cracker	Per 100g
CALORIES	32.8kcal	410kcal
CARBS	6.0g	74.7g
FAT	0.6g	7.2g
SODIUM	trace	0.4g
PROTEIN	0.8g	10.6g
FIBRE	0.3g	3.3g

Morrisons Eat Smart Rich Fruit Christmas Pudding

A shiny, gel-like appearance and elastic properties set the scene quite well. Not a bad taste but it is very sweet and flavours seem artificial.

 

	Per ½ Pudding	Per 100g
CALORIES	140kcal	281kcal
CARBS	30.5g	61.0g
FAT	1.3g	2.5g
SODIUM	0.05g	0.1g
PROTEIN	1.5g	3.1g
FIBRE	1.8g	3.6g

Waitrose Reduced Fat Quiche Lorraine

The more tempting of the quiches here and very low in fat and calories. Doesn't let anyone down on taste either but hardly a showstopper at any party.

 

	Per 1/6	Per 100g
CALORIES	126kcal	189kcal
CARBS	12.7g	19.0g
FAT	5.9g	8.9g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.28g
PROTEIN	5.4g	8.1g
FIBRE	0.9g	1.4g

Morrisons Eat Smart Reduced Fat Cheese & Onion Quiche

Quiche is never really the main man at parties and saying 'Reduced Fat' is not going to drive people any wilder. The taste is as you would expect though and the calories and fat are a fair bit less.

 

	Per 1/6	Per 100g
CALORIES	137.3kcal	206kcal
CARBS	11.3g	16.9g
FAT	6.1g	9.2g
SODIUM	0.1g	0.2g
PROTEIN	5.1g	7.7g
FIBRE	0.5g	0.7g

Asda Good For You! Mini Melton Pork Pies

There's always a cult following for pork pies, though they may be disappointed here. A dry texture and a bread-like taste suggest many a lonely night for this lot.

 

	Per Pie	Per 100g
CALORIES	162kcal	324kcal
CARBS	12.9g	25.8g
FAT	9.8g	19.6g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.4g
PROTEIN	5.6g	11.1g
FIBRE	1.3g	2.5g

Asda Good For You! Reduced Fat Dips

The lowest calorie dips here but noticeably the least flavour. You may need to check the colour of the lumps to find out which flavour you're actually tasting.

 

	Avg 50g	Avg 100g
CALORIES	64kcal	128kcal
CARBS	3.0g	5.9g
FAT	4.7g	9.3g
SODIUM	0.05g	0.1g
PROTEIN	2.6g	5.1g
FIBRE	0.3g	0.6g

Sainsbury's Reduced Fat Pork Cocktail Sausages

The regular party-goer looking slightly wrinkled and rubbery here. Quite good yet quite plain. Not really that low in fat and actually a few more calories than the average.

 

	Per Sausage	Per 100g
CALORIES	21kcal	214kcal
CARBS	1.2g	11.6g
FAT	1.2g	12.3g
SODIUM	0.1g	1.0g
PROTEIN	1.4g	14.3g
FIBRE	0.1g	1.3g

Weight Watchers Mature Cheese Low Fat

Unattractive rubbery looks, mouldy plastic flavour and strong, dry aftertaste. Doesn't try hard to make friends. Turns out to be very low in calories and fat if you do spend any time with it.

 

	Per 40g Serving	Per 100g
CALORIES	75.2kcal	188kcal
CARBS	2.3g	5.8g
FAT	0.9g	2.3g
SODIUM	0.3g	0.8g
PROTEIN	14.4g	36.1g
FIBRE	0g	0g

Tesco Healthy Living Low Fat Cheese

Roughly the same comments as the Weight Watchers cheese; though even less positive. Manages to be a healthy option but at the expense of its popularity.

 

	Per 30g Serving	Per 100g
CALORIES	50.7kcal	169kcal
CARBS	trace	0.1g
FAT	0.8g	2.7g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.8g
PROTEIN	10.8g	36.1g
FIBRE	0g	0g

Asda Good For You! Baked Snack Selection

Fairly unnatural appearance and taste. Flavours don't really hit the mark and should potato-based snacks ever stick to your fingers? The very low fat content grabs it one star.

 

	Avg Bag	Avg 100g
CALORIES	42.3kcal	345.3kcal
CARBS	9.7g	78.3g
FAT	trace	0.4g
SODIUM	0.1g	0.6g
PROTEIN	0.9g	7.0g
FIBRE	0.3g	2.9g

Conclusion

An invitation to a party does not have to be redeemed in Get Out of Diet Free cards. There are some tasty, healthy options for party foods and many ways to avoid damage to your calorie quota whilst still having fun.