You don’t often think of hors d’oeuvres as part of supper at home. But serving nutritious appetizers can help you feel great while you meet your produce requirements and actually promote portion control… if you do it right. Check out these tips for getting the most from starters.

• Nibble on raw veggies with healthy dips. Appease hunger while the main dish cooks with quick wash-and-ready options like carrots and celery with low-fat ranch or hummus, or broccoli with low-fat cheese sauce. The protein-rich dips help ease tummy grumbles so you’ll eat less at dinner, while a dose of vegetables upfront helps you load up on the most powerful nutrients.

• Try traditional sides as pre-meal finger foods. The USDA recommends covering half your plate in fruits and veggies. But that doesn’t mean you have to eat it all at once. Dish up simple sides like roasted artichokes, grilled asparagus, or stuffed mushrooms ahead of time and enjoy them without guilt.

• Serve salad. Leafy greens boast many micro-nutrients that promote general health and may even defend against cancer and heart attack.