Let The Party Commence! Kid Friendly Graduations

Let The Party Commence! Kid Friendly Graduations by Misty Humphrey

Originally published in CarbSmart Magazine Issue 3.

Here we are almost half way through the year, feeling like we have a nice solid grasp on our low carb plans, when the anxiety of planning a graduation party suddenly hits. For some, the anxiety of social events dominated by food can be overwhelming. A few thoughts that might be circulating include your own willpower and compliance, appeasing others and your motivation to prevent a “junkfest”.

Don’t fret! It’s actually much easier than those holidays you just survived, and with a little planning, your graduation party can be a real hit. You’ve educated yourself about the detrimental effects of the carb-laden food choices that have been so prevalent in our diets for the last many years. Of course your party might just send a shiver down the spine of a low fat parent or two but remember, you know better, and their child’s behavior will prove your point that the child who consumes a higher fat diet is a child with a more even temper.

You’ve shunned the bread, pasta, chips, pretzels and cookies, but have you made the same commitment to the rest of your family? While not easy, it’s a transition that will benefit everyone. As a person who suffers from ADHD, this was one of the biggest dietary revelations for me – I learned from The Diet Cure by Julia Ross, M.A. and The Food Mood Connection by Gary Null, PhD that it’s a condition I clearly suffer. For a variety of reasons, a low carb diet has answered many questions for me, and it may for your family. Sugar triggers chemical messengers in the brain to elevate and crash within a very short period of time, causing roller coaster ups and downs and taking with it our mental stability and clarity.

What is a party without soda, chips, candy — and of course cake? I can tell you it’s a party without hyperactivity, anger and those blood sugar crash meltdowns. Since graduation parties fall at the beginning of the summer season, roll out the grill and be thankful that you didn’t choose a low fat vegan diet for your journey! It would be shameful to hear your guests whispering about your “rabbit food buffet”.

When I plan events, it is always a low carb feast. I have been practicing this lifestyle for 13+ years so it’s relatively easy for me. There is no wavering, and my adult children know that when they are dining in my home, we eat my way. This is not easy in the beginning, particularly if you’re new to the low carb lifestyle. You know that you made the right dietary decision, but you’re not quite sure how you will convince your family, much less the rest of your guests. You don’t need to explain yourself, and you will likely see delight in your guests eyes as they nosh on your idea of a “healthy graduation party.”

You don’t have to eschew all typical graduation party foods, but try to greatly reduce the quantity of processed junk you serve. When your guests begin filling up on appetizers and the main entrée, the junk really will become a small part of the meal.

I find appetizers and finger foods to be favorites for so many. Take advantage of this, and embrace and pander to our snack-loving habits. My guests are never disappointed when they see the variety of finger foods I have on display for their enjoyment. This includes adults and children of all ages! Tailor your choices to the age group — and remember, the younger children will be playing more than eating. Try deviled eggs, olives, a cheese platter, nuts, trail mix, stuffed mushrooms, mini burgers stuffed with bacon and cheese, bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, vegetables with hummus or your favorite cream cheese based dip, popcorn and even the ever-popular guacamole and tortilla chips.

I love to serve entrée items that do not require any type of a bread delivery, nor scream to the guests “they’re on that high protein diet”. My go-to proteins include sausage and hot links, ribs, hot dogs, chicken thighs and kabobs, and beef or chicken satay. Finger foods and anything on a stick are fun and easy!

Your sides can include fruit salad or fruit kabobs, broccoli salad, green salad, caprese salad, and of course, what low carber doesn’t love a good faux potato salad made from cauliflower?

The most difficult decision is, I believe, which beverage you should serve. Liquid calories are the most dangerous of all; this is a real bone of contention with me. I simply refuse to purchase soda. We often hear that we should vote with our dollars and this one resonates with me. There’s no reason to be a food cop with other’s children, but you can quietly prevent that child from at least one liver-busting high fructose corn syrup day. The human body knows what to do with glucose. Fructose, on the other hand, especially in the form of high fructose corn syrup, is implicated in metabolic syndrome and can contribute to a host of preventable problems.

Do your guests a favor and serve a nice punch based on real fruit juice, carbonated water or lemonade using Grade B maple syrup or coconut palm sugar. Remember, going completely sugar free on your guests will cause you more stress than it’s worth. If you can get away with stevia, try some of the new stevia sweetened beverages like Zevia™. Bottled water is an essential for those summer barbecues, and if you purchase the smaller bottles the kids will dig the novelty.

Since you’ve saved your guests so many grams of carb with all of these filling, nutritious foods, a little cake isn’t going to thwart your efforts to a healthier graduation feast. Just make sure you’ve taken your restrictions into consideration and treat yourself to something special so you don’t feel deprived.

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