Are you looking for a delicious way to swap out the traditional summer eats with some of our slimming favorites? We’ve got you covered! Pick one or all of the swaps below for a tasty, nutritious, and waistline friendly summertime meal!
PROTEIN
Ditch: Beef/pork hot dogs
Dish Up: Grilled chicken
What You’ll Save: A 1.8 oz beef hot dog has 165 calories and nearly 15g fat (and that’s without the bun and condiments). A 4 oz serving of skinless, boneless chicken breast has only 140 calories and negligible fat.
SIDE
Ditch: Mayonnaise-based salads (pasta, potato, etc.)
Dish Up: Grilled veggie kabobs
What You’ll Save: One cup of potato salad will set you back 350 calories and 20g of fat. On the other hand, a grilled veggie kabob comes in at just over 100 calories and 4g of fat.
DIP
Ditch: Onion dip
Dish Up: Guacamole
What You’ll Save: While there isn’t a big difference in calories or overall fat, the majority of the fat in guacamole is monounsaturated, which may help lower diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk. What’s more, guacamole is higher in fiber than onion dip and has almost no cholesterol, making it a far healthier option.
SIP
Ditch: Cocktails
Dish Up: Unsweetened iced green tea
What You’ll Save: An 8 oz margarita packs 455 calories and a daiquiri-flavored wine cooler can have over 40g of sugar (carbs). Unsweetened green tea is a zero-calorie drink with the added bonus of antioxidants.
DESSERT
Ditch: S’mores
Dish Up: S'mores Pudding
What You’ll Save: You’ll bank about 250 calories and 10g of fat while still indulging in a classic taste of summer!