Christmas and New Year brings lots of opportunity to get together with friends and loved ones, which usually means plenty of eating opportunities.

When food is constantly within reach, it can be difficult to say no, and very often it's the snacking, which causes us to take in way too many calories at this time of year. 

So, rather than serving up the usual potato chips and chocolate, here are some healthy holiday appetizer and snack ideas, which will be a little kinder to your waistline and heart.

1. Feta and Cucumber

Baked wholewheat pita bread is great for dipping, and they are so much healthier than store-bought potato chips or tortilla chips. They can be baked ahead of time, and stored in an airtight container for about two days.

Why not try topping them with the following recipe to make a delicious appetizer or snack.

Ingredients:

1 pack wholewheat pita bread, cut into small triangles

1/4 cup jarred olive tapenade

1 cucumber, finely sliced

2 oz feta cheese, crumbled

1 lemon

Method:

• Place the pita triangles on a baking sheet, and bake until golden brown and completely crisp; about 10 minutes. Allow to cool.
• Then, spread 1/2 teaspoon olive tapenade on each pita triangle. Top with a cucumber slice, and a little crumbled feta. 
• Just before serving, drizzle each bite with a squeeze of lemon juice.

2. Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese

Ingredients:

4 tsp reduced fat cream cheese

1/4 tsp dill, chopped

15 radishes, sliced finely

2 oz smoked salmon, finely chopped

Dill sprigs, to garnish

Lemon juice

Method:

• Combine the cream cheese and the dill.
• Then, top each radish slice with a little salmon, a dollop of cream cheese mix, and a sprig of fresh dill. 
• Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice over each.

3. Olives and Feta

This marinated olive and feta recipe could be served with the baked pita triangles from the recipe above, or with some wholegrain crackers. This is a great option if you're stuck for time, since it can be made one day ahead.

Ingredients:

1 cup pitted olives, sliced

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tsp rosemary, chopped

Ground black pepper to taste

Method:

• Combine the olives, feta, oil, zest, juice, garlic, rosemary, and black pepper in a medium bowl.
• Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.
• When ready to serve, simply top your wholegrain crackers (or pita triangles) with the olive and feta mix, or place the bowl and crackers on a serving plate, and allow everyone to dip and serve their own.

4. Dip and Crudités

This is such an easy snack option, which can largely be made ahead of time. It's always a favorite with kids and adults, alike, not to mention super healthy!

Try a dip such as french onion, spinach dip, hummus, or a ranch dip, with a colorful variety of raw veg crudites.