What I really miss the most...
 

Is appetizers. I did not realize how much I enjoyed them until holidays roll around. That spinach dip with pumpernickel, Cold pea salad, mini egg rolls, saurkraut balls, tuna, butter and cream cheese spread, cheeses, jarlsburg cheese spread, and my all tiime favorite, which I can never ever pass up....that Cream cheese vegetable pizza.... . Ugh. The calories and fat in appetizers is frightening. I can pass on the traditional holiday foods, but the appetizers kill me.

How about some different appetizers?

A nice big veggie platter :
Baby carrots
Grape tomatoes
Bell Pepper slices
Kirby (cucumber) spears
Sugar Snap Peas
String Beans

Dipped in salsa or hummus or white bean dip.

Another nice appetizer? Stuffed mushrooms.

I also like to serve salads as appetizers.

Even some of the ones that you mention are not all that terrible. Just try to keep it to a moderate portion and you should be fine. I do find crackers to be a problem and I try to steer clear of those.

Sometimes now when we go out, I skip the meal and ONLY have an appetizer...

I feel your pain!!! I've tried to have healthy appetizers and it just isn't he same...

I'd either pick one, and stay away from the table after, or make a meal of only appetizers. Plus the already mentioned excellent idea of contributing your own appetizers.

i hear ya! why do they all have some sort of cheese worked into them? i just have the one bite/one piece rule, then try and distract myself with the "not nearly as delicious but i'll thank myself tomorrow" fruit and veggie options...

Jalepeno poppers. They get me every time!

definitely agreed! Veggie trays and other healthy options are great, but there's nothing quite like the creamy spinach and artichoke dip and the other fatty munchies! Even the veggie trays I have to watch my portions on the dips. They're yummy but boy are they bad for you.

My family likes to have food out at ALL times during holidays/get togethers. Even if we've just had dinner, something (nuts, candy, etc) must be on the table while we're chatting! I have to watch the mindless munching.