Healthy 4th of July Eating Tips

Independence Day is a day to celebrate our freedom as a country. It is a time for us to reflect on what our forefathers endured to make our nation what it is today. Unfortunately, it is also a time that is laden with high-fat high-calorie foods that threaten the freedom of our bellies to fit in our waistbands.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy this holiday without hurting your weight loss goals and undoing all of the progress you’ve already made. You have plenty of healthy eating options.

Break Out Your Grill

One of the greatest 4th of July pastimes is to grill out and enjoy some summer foods while sitting in the sun. Admittedly, some grilled options aren’t exactly the healthiest (like brats and ribs), but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy other foods cooked by charcoal or propane.

Most any proteins are good grilled, as long as they are leaner cuts of meat. This includes hamburgers, steaks, pork chops, and chicken; just be sure to remove all visible skin and fat prior to placing them on the grill.

Flavor with Herbs and Spices

Along with grilling usually comes oil based marinades and sugary or salty condiments. However, neither of these is good for your health, making it necessary to come up with other ways to zest up your foods without adding these types of blends.

This is where herbs and spices come in. And because this is the time of year when you can get them fresh from the garden, this also makes it super easy to play around with the different flavors and see which ones you like best.

Mix and match them in different quantities with different proteins that you’re grilling. Don’t forget to add them to your side dishes too as they can really change up the taste, letting you eat the foods you love most in several different ways.

Take Advantage of Your Garden

Most gardens don’t offer a lot of goodies this early in the summer but certain veggies are available, making them a great addition to your Independence Day meal. Go out early in the morning and pick whatever your garden has to offer that day and add it to the menu.

You simply cannot beat foods that were just taken from the vine or removed from the earth when it comes to flavor and texture. Savor them with family and friends, adding your own special love to the meal or dishes that you choose to prepare.

Select Your Treats Wisely

Just because you are watching what you eat in an attempt to either lose weight or maintain a loss, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have food that doesn’t fall under the healthy category. In fact, as a day of freedom, you should also be free to choose a treat that will satisfy you – just be sure to choose it wisely.

For instance, if there is something you can get other times of the year, keep it off your plate. But if your grandmother only makes her special Independence Day chocolate cake this one day each year, then just use your SlimPlate portion controlled plate to enjoy just the right amount without raising the numbers on the scale the next day. Speaking of portion control…

Choose to Not Overeat

There is nothing fun about eating so much that you’re uncomfortable as that will keep you from enjoying whatever festivities you have planned for the day. Instead, make a conscious effort to watch your portions and you’ll have enough energy without contending with the negative mindset (and body) that too much food can often create.

When you follow a natural weight loss program like SlimPlate, you’ll know exactly how much to eat so that you can enjoy your 4th of July party without worrying about what it will do to your diet. Their SlimPlates make it easier than ever to select the right portions of the foods you love most so that you meet your weight loss goals more easily, even on holidays like this.

Focus on Your Friends and Family

Although a majority of Independence Day gatherings center around the food, don’t forget to take the time to enjoy your friends and family too. Celebrate not only our nation’s freedom, but also your relationships and love. Make memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime because, in the end, that’s what matters most anyway!