And the winner is…..

That announcement always sends chills down my spine just thinking about it! The Emmys are this weekend, airing Sunday night, and I’m sure your viewing party invites are out, Hollywood-themed decorations are ready to go, and the red carpet is waiting in the wings, but wait!….what are you serving your guests?

I’m a celebrity fitness trainer who has trained Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Anne Hathaway, and countless other A-listers, and I’d like to share my top 5 tips on how you and your guests can snack like a star at your Emmy party and still keep your waistline in check.

The Nominees are:

Snacks rich in protein and fiber. This includes cheese, fruits, nuts, and fruit salad. Choosing snacks with protein and fiber will fill you up faster so you’re less inclined to overindulge. Often when I’m working on set with clients I stock their trailers with these items because it keeps them full of energy.

Fun chips and dips. One of my faves is strawberry-avocado salsa with cinnamon tortilla chips.

Healthy and tasty main attractions. I recommend clubs or wraps with avocados, white beans and sprouts, or a sweet potato and black bean salad.

Cocktails. Toast the winners (or those with the shortest acceptance speeches) by adding refreshing twists to alcoholic beverages like vodka and champagne. Create a Low-Cal Sparkling Lemon-Lime Tini, a refreshing twist on the usual martini, by adding a sparkling lemon-lime flavored beverage and cucumber along with a mint garnish. Or, add ingredients such as apples, pumpkin spice, or berries to your favorite bubbly or sparkling wine to keep the celebration going and calories in check.

Desserts. Whether store-bought or homemade, have fun and try it all! Television-shaped cookies, mini-Emmys made out of ladyfingers, even something like my client Jessica Alba’s favorite Blueberry Tofu cheesecake. (Check out my site this weekend for the recipe, or try this Tropical Tofu Cheesecake or Creamy Lemon-Lime Tofu Cheesecake.) Her favorite trick is to taste, but not indulge, so taste everything!

Choose a smaller plate and sit down to eat and socialize at the same time. It takes 20 minutes for food to reach your stomach. Make sure you eat and hydrate during the day because if you are hungry before the festivities you will sabotage your willpower.

My clients often walk the red carpet and attend parties and events and do it with control, moderation, confidence and an award-winning smile. Cheers and enjoy!

PS: If your wondering how to make the delicious Blueberry Tofu cheesecake then here’s the recipe!


Blueberry Tofu Cheesecake – a healthier substitute for regular cheesecake.
I use Graham cracker pre-baked pie crust

Filling is as follows:

  • 2 Packages of medium or firm tofu,( I prefer to use medium) drain the water
  • 2 cap fulls of vanilla extract
  • 2 packages of stevia
  • 2 tbsp of honey

Blend all together in a blender until it is creamy, scraping down the sides as necessary so that all the ingredients are blended.Pour filling into the crust.

Topping:

  • 1 cup of Blueberries
  • 1 tbsp of flour
  • 1 cap full of vanilla extract
  • 1 package of stevia

Simmer blueberries in a small pot, squashing them into a puree, add the flour and stir, add vanilla and stevia and stir. Pour berries on top of tofu then refrigerate for an hour or until firm before serving.