Summertime means lotsa cookouts, so you’re fillin’ up on
yummy cheeseburgers, chips, potato salads and pies. Too bad none of that sounds
particularly healthy. No worries, though! Here are eight tricks to make your
backyard bash a little better for your bod.
Skip creamy dips
Your mom set out the appetizers for your party already, so
while you’re waitin’ for your besties to arrive, you munch on some chips and
dip. But that heavy cheese or sour cream dip is already givin’ ya tons of
calories, and you haven’t even started dinner yet! So for your next backyard
barbeque, ask mom to buy some fruit- or veggie-based dip, like salsa, that’ll
be less dense and less fatty.
The skinny on potato
salad
There are a few ways you can make this tasty dish
guilt-free. First, leave the skins on the potatoes when you’re making the salad
so that you’re not skippin’ out on all the fiber and vitamins. Also, don’t use
fatty mayo to hold this baby together. Try mixing your salad up with some
non-fat Greek yogurt instead, or make your own vinaigrette for a different,
lighter flavor.
On meatier subjects…
Whatever meat you’re grillin’, always be sure to go for the
lean cuts and trim off any fat ya see. That way, you don’t have to stick to
chicken and turkey just to stay healthy. A li’l red meat is good for you every once
and a while (as long as you nix as much of the fat as possible) because it has
lots of iron, which lots of girls are missin’ in their diets.
It’s not what’s on
the outside that counts, right?
In the case of burgers and hot dogs, the outside is actually
pretty important. You can instantly make these main dishes healthier by
wrapping ‘em up in some whole-wheat buns. That way, you’re getting the fiber and
heart-healthy whole grains that your body needs.
French fries, minus
the “fry”
Usually, the first thing you think of to munch on with
burgers is French fries, but ya know that anything fried is bad news for your
bod. So take advantage of that lovely grill! Cut each potato into four strips,
and then put a little canola oil and seasonings on them before headin’ outside.
You can grill up regular potatoes, or try sweet potatoes for a bit of a twist.
Bye-bye, butter
Most people think that the only way to eat corn on the cob
is covered in butter, but they just haven’t gotten very creative. Without
butter, corn is actually extremely healthy and full of good-for-you fiber. So
try adding a li’l flavor to this summer staple by brushing on some herbs or
lemon juice. You can even rub it down with a lime and then add some
chili-pepper seasoning for extra taste.
The wonders of
watermelon
Watermelon has always been a fave summer treat, but you
probably didn’t know just how good this sweet fruit is for your bod. It’s
packed with vitamins that help your eyes, arteries, teeth, brain, muscles, and
immune system stay healthy. And more good news: out of all fruits and veggies,
watermelon has the most of the antioxidant lycopene, which decreases your risks
of heart disease and a few cancers. So for dessert, grab some juicy slices, and
enjoy!
Hey chicas, what’re
some of your fave summertime foods?
BY CARRIE RUPPERT ON 7/2/2012 12:00:00 AM
POSTED IN healthy eating 101, how to cut out junk food, fourth of july, Independence Day treats