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Low calorie 4th of July ideas
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The July 4th holiday is typically a time when families get together to spend time outdoors grilling and picnicking. To make sure that there is something at the table for everyone, including those who are watching their weight, consider these ideas.
Grill fish or skinless chicken instead of red meat. A six ounce serving of steak has about 500 calories. Grilled tuna has fewer than 350 calories in a six ounce serving. Or substitute veggie or turkey burgers for traditional hamburgers. Another lower calorie choice is the traditional hot dog. If you chose a low fat hot dog with bun, mustard, ketchup, onions and relish you can keep the calorie count lower than 350.
Serve a green tossed salad with vinaigrette. Potato salad and other salads with a mayonnaise base can be loaded with calories. A one cup serving of potato salad has 350 calories.
Baked beans are high in fiber, protein and are a good source of antioxidants. Beans are a healthy addition to any diet. Just make sure that the beans you choose are not loaded with additional sugars. A cup serving of beans is about 150 calories.
Serve wine spritzers or mojitos instead of sugary alcoholic beverages. Premade mixes are loaded with sugars and added calories. Mojitos which are made from fresh lime juice, fresh mint and no calorie club soda are a better choice, even with a splash of rum and spoonful of added sugar.
Replace the sour cream in your favorite dip with low fat sour cream or plain yogurt and serve with fresh raw vegetables instead of chips.
Consider serving angel food cake with strawberries for dessert instead of pies or other sugary desserts. Fruit salad is also a good addition to your July 4th menu.
No 4th of July picnic is complete without watermelon. Watermelon has 47 calories in a cup serving and can help satisfy a craving for sweets.
Food network.com has a list of 100 low calorie recipes that can enhance your July 4th celebration. Here is one from Chef Bobby Flay:
Tri Colore Salad
2 spears of endive, washed, dried and coarsely chopped
1 small head radicchio, washed, dried and coarsely chopped
About 1/3 pound baby arugula, washed, dried and thinly chopped
Dressing:
1tsp Dijon mustard
3tbsp red wine vinegar
3Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and ground pepper
Shaved Parmesan
Combine a 3 lettuces in large bowl and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Whisk the mustard, vinegar and oil together in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Top with some shavings of Parmesan.
The link below has low calorie recipes from all the cooks on food network.
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