Fourth of July is right around the corner—and it’s time to declare your independence from carb-laden creations such as potato salad, baked beans, bread (hamburger and hot dog buns), chips, cookies, cake and more. When you focus on protein, healthy fats and fiber-rich vegetables and selected fruits or whole grains, you eliminate spikes and slumps in your blood sugar while losing weight and keeping it off. Here’s how to truly enjoy the holiday while staying on track with your weight-loss goals. Even better? Fireworks have no carbs!
Stay hydrated. It’s easy to mistake thirst for hunger, especially during the hot summer months. Make sure you begin your Fourth of July celebration fully hydrated. Keep a water bottle with you, or, if you are hosting, make sure you have plenty of water on hand for your guests. It can be as simple as filling a cooler with bottles of water, or providing pitchers of water and cut up lemons, limes or cucumbers for flavor.
Be smart about sides. Very often, it’s those sneaky side dishes that weigh in heavily on the carbs. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy all varieties of fresh vegetables, which are naturally low in carbs. Veggie platters, grilled vegetables (sprinkle your choice of leeks, asparagus, squash, bell peppers, zucchini, red onions or eggplant with salt and pepper and olive oil and grill until tender) and salads sprinkled with fresh herbs like mint, basil and cilantro add color and bright flavor to the festivities.
Grilling is great. Hamburgers, steaks, chicken and fish can easily be the stars of your celebration.
Bring some smart snacks. It’s very likely you may celebrating the Fourth at a pool, beach, on a boat or at a park. Bring along some low-carb snacks that you can nibble on during the day to keep your appetite in check, like a few portions of almonds, cedar and or kale chips, a couple Atkins bars or a package of jerky.
Share the low-carb love. Your friends and family will be impressed with the many tasty low-carb recipes perfect for any 4th of July celebration.
Start off with some delicious and easy appetizers
and side dishes:
Fresh Mozzarella Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette
Showcase a delicious main course or two:
Lemony Chicken, Shrimp and Vegetable Kebabs
And last, but not least, a red, white
and blue dessert is the grand finale!