With the 4th of July coming up, so are tables of picnic food. Here are some healthy tips to not let your holiday weekend celebrations wreak havoc on your waistline.
- Burgers and steaks are favorites when it comes to grilling. Using 95 percent lean ground meat will significantly decrease fat and calories as compared with fattier ground beef. Serve the burger on a whole-wheat bun for added nutrition. To get the leanest steak, choose top sirloin, top round or T-bone.
- Skinless chicken breasts, seafood and vegetable kabobs can all be marinated with olive oil and citrus juices and placed on the grill for low fat alternatives.
- Dress garden salads with vinaigrettes rather than creamy dressings like ranch or bleu cheese. Balsamic or wine vinegar mixed with olive oil add wonderful flavor while reducing fat and unnecessary calories.
- For dessert, head straight for the watermelon. This picnic and cookout favorite is the perfect sweet, low calorie ending to a healthy meal. Other choices might be fruit kabobs, fruit salad or angel food cake with light whipped topping and fresh berries.
- It’s very important to stay hydrated if outside in the summer heat. If drinking alcohol, limit the amount since it provides extra calories we often forget.
These ideas will help keep your holiday meal on the path to healthy eating. And one final tip: always watch portion sizes and stop eating once you are full. Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July celebration.
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