Today may be called “Fat Tuesday,” but you don’t have to take that literally. Don’t worry about your waistline with this spiced-up, Mardi Gras-inspired menu.

Cheers!
Start your celebration and feel like you’re strolling down New Orleans’ French Quarter with a Hurricane cocktail. The unique flavor of passion fruit makes this drink extra special — leftovers make great breakfast smoothies. If you can’t find passion fruit juice, pineapple juice works well too. Replace the rum with ginger ale or sparkling water for a light and fizzy “virgin” treat.

One-Pot Wonder
Creole flavors are bold and all about spice — look no further than jambalaya! Fresh ingredients and spices are a great way to keep calories low. Some recipes can be weighed down with fatty meats, but leaner ham and shrimp keeps this jambalaya recipe light and satisfying. Feeling especially authentic? Try using crawfish instead of shrimp. Or go for a vegetarian version with whole grain farro and yummy okra (a southern favorite). Serve up your jambalaya with a lightly dressed salad.

Sweet Treat
Bananas Foster is a classic New Orleans recipe, but the calories add up thanks to tons of butter and sugar — and then it’s poured over ice cream! Have all the flavor for a fraction of the fat and calories by opting for a Banana Cream Pie instead.

Mardi Gras recipes to try:
• Hurricane Cocktail
• Jambalaya with Shrimp and Ham
• Farro Vegetarian Jambalaya
• Basic Green Salad with Vinaigrette
• Banana Cream Pie