July 4th is Not About Celebrating "Freedom to Pig Out"!

With July 4th happening this coming Monday, it’s very likely that you will attend one or more picnics. Many of us will be trying to not overindulge and end up being faced with a few extra post-picnic pounds!

First, figure out what you really, really want to nosh on! Cruise the buffet table before you begin filling your plate. Balance out your indulgences somewhere else-skip the foods that you could care less about! 

My philosophy is to go ahead and treat yourself (in moderation) at special events. Avoid the dangerous thought: "This is the ONLY chance I'll ever have to eat my cousin's special Bacon, Egg & Cheese Potato Salad!!"  If you constantly feel like you are depriving yourself then eventually you'll go back to making bad food choices. Geez....just have fun but don't go crazy!!!

 Here are some of my Holiday Cookout Survival Tips!

• Why is it that everything yummy has cream cheese in it?! Sadly cream cheese is one of the worst foods-ever! One ounce is 100 cal/9 grams of fat. And it's usually dipped into with chips. Ouch-another food to avoid! I confess appetizers are my weakness so I have to work at picking only a few to try.  Never, EVER dip directly out of the big dish- put some on your plate and back away from the table :-)
• Well, we may as well talk about my other weakness....I love a cold maragarita on a hot day but, yikes...it's packed with sugar and alcohol! (which makes it good, right?) Sometimes I will mix in Diet Sierra Mist to make it healthier. (Did I just say that? There truly isn't a way to make a margarita healthy, but......) Usually, if I'm having a Margarita, I'll skip sugary desserts. Honestly, a better choice: a glass of wine or a light beer. Whatever you do, drink lots and lots and lots of cold water-squeeze in some lemon or lime!
• If you appreciate a good burger then skip the cheese (80 cal/6.5 grams of fat per slice) and the mayo (1 tablespoon-40 calories/3.5 grams of fat). And, of course, if it's not on a whole grain bun, you may want to only eat 1/2 the bun. As for hot dogs, there are some good turkey hot dogs that don't lose that "dawg" flavor. A better choice? Go with a grilled chicken breast-with or without a bun.
• And why is it that so many "salads" are filled with mayo? With bacon, or cheese? There should be a better name for these types of foods, because we all think "salad-it MUST be healthy!"  This is the worst nutritional conspiracy! So be smart when you choose your "salads".
• OK. I have confessed this many times that I truly like food...so a big picnic spread is obviously a challenge for me! So.... many tempting choices..... What I usually do is fill my plate with a tablespoon or two of everything that looks interesting (passing on the so-so stuff). If there is something especially tasty I may have a bit more-Hey, it's a holiday :-) 
• Your best option is to take control! Offer to bring a fruit plate. Or a veggie tray (with a healthy dip). How about a dessert with layers of angel food cake, strawberries, and light cool whip? This way you will be sure you will have healthy choices.
• If all else fails, and you still overeat, then take the next couple days to eat right and fit in a couple great workouts. Don't beat yourself up! Altho, I know a good trainer if you need one to kick your butt! haha!

So enjoy your 4th of July weekend!

And remember: Our freedom didn't actually come free! Someone's loved one: parent, child, spouse, friend, grandparent....made the sacrifice for us.