The fourth of July is a great time to celebrate the birth of America with family and friends. It can also be a celebration that includes far too many diet-busting treats. Here are some delicious and healthy dishes to swap for those diet-busters.
American Flag Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a healthy, low fat snack with lots of protein. A great snack or dessert idea is to layer plain or vanilla greek yogurt with blueberries and strawberries for a healthy red, white, and blue snack. If you want to get extra creative, you could even try to make it in the shape of the American flag.
Individual Healthy Apple Pie Cups
Want to make a healthy dessert as American as apple pie? Try making this healthy apple pie-inspired dessert. Chop up a few of your favorite types of apples and microwave for a few seconds at a time with a sprinkle of cinnamon and some stevia, honey, or splenda. Stir in between each microwave session until your apples have reached the desired consistency. You can eat this warm, or cool and straight from the bowl or as a topping on another healthy dessert or snack. It tastes great over yogurt or topping some angel food cake. Serve in little cups for individual healthy apple pies.
Healthy Potato Salad
Potato salad is mostly unhealthy because it includes globs of artery-blocking mayonnaise. Try lightening up your favorite potato salad by subbing Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise. To make it extra healthy, add in some chopped egg whites (leave out to yolks to cut down on fat) and a bunch of your favorite chopped veggies.
Other ideas:
fruit salad (you can mix in any of your favorite fruits and top with fresh mint for a refreshing flavor)
crudites (skip the ranch and dip in hummus or make a healthy ranch dip by mixing ranch mix with Greek yogurt)
fresh fruit tart (you can get a store bought one or make your own)
fresh salads (there are tons of varieties of fresh salads but make sure to stick with a healthier dressing to cut down on the fat and calories)