Celebrating the
4th of July is all about family, friends, spending some quality time
outdoors and fireworks, but you don’t have to sacrifice your healthy habits for
the holiday. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the holiday, but avoid the
food hangover that can happen the next day.
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Whole
wheat is the answer – Filling up on foods like potato chips, ice cream and pop
spike insulin and open up your body’s floodgates for fat storage. Use whole
wheat buns instead of the typical white to keep fat at bay and help control
your insulin levels.
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Grill
up lean meats – Most family cookouts serve hot dogs and hamburgers, but try to
eat lean cuts of chicken or beef instead.
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Practice
portion control – While there are dozens of ways to cut back what you put on
your plate, try splitting up meals with you and a friend and be sure to include
enough fruits and veggies on your plate (which leaves less room for more
fattening items).
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Don’t
skip breakfast! – Don’t skip a meal to try and save calories for later. This
will lead to overeating and making poor choices due to hunger and low blood
sugar.
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Load
up on grilled veggies – Fill up at least half of your plate with veggies to
avoid overdoing it on higher calorie options. The fiber will help fill you up,
and if you still want seconds be sure to fill up your plate the same way.
- ·
Fruit
as a dessert – When the rest of the family goes for the cake, cookies and
brownies, grab a bowl of fruit salad. It’s just as sweet – but better for you!
- ·
Think
before you drink – There is a place for alcohol in a healthy lifestyle, and
making smart choices make all of the difference. One margarita can have up to
800 calories, not to mention all of the sugar! Be sure to limit how much and
what types of drinks you have, and be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- · Get up and move! – Try to avoid just sitting around at your family picnic, just by standing alone you can burn about 120 extra calories a day. So stroll around, mingle with your relatives and maybe even start a family game of bocce ball.
Have a safe and
Happy 4th of July! Let us know how you stay healthy over the holiday
weekend in the comments below.