The Fourth of July is usually filled with drinks, festive foods, yard games and friends. This sounds like a perfect day until you try to have health goals in the midst of celebrating.
Here are 5 tips to not compromise your health goals and still have FUN...
EAT BEFORE YOU GO
Yep, you heard me right. If you know the food is going to be overwhelming and too tempting for you having a meal prior to arrival will allow you to not give in to the buffet of foods presented to you. Focus on the relationships, get out of your comfort zone and meet someone new. Mind shift: Shift your mind away from "Food is my source of enjoyment!" to "Relationship is what fills me and I can have a great time anywhere!".
2. DRINK YO' WATER
I cannot emphasize enough the changing power that water can have on your health journey. Sometimes drinking water is enough to push aside those cravings. This is a great test to step back and do a self check in, see if you are actually hungry or you could potentially just be thirsty. BONUS: Add some lemon if you are fighting that sugar craving.
3. DON'T FILL YOUR PLATE ON THE FIRST PASS
Check out what foods are available instead of starting at the beginning of the buffet table and piling up on everything in sight. Walk through the line first, observe, make a game plan of your "First Choice Foods". Then visually cut your plate in 1/4 sections... 1/4 protein, 1/2 veggies and salad, 1/4 healthy starch. TIP: Then ENJOY, take pleasure that you GET TO enjoy foods that nourish your body.
4. GO BUN-LESS
Skip the bread. Adding those additional calories and sugar from the white flour processed buns are not worth it. You will have a dip in energy and feel sluggish by the time those fireworks start, opt instead for lettuce wrap or eat your burger ontop of a salad.
5. BE PATRIOTIC FOR DESSERT
Here's how to be patriotic - enjoy a delicious fruit salad for dessert. Choose fresh blueberries, watermelon, and pear. If your host doesn't make a fruit salad, offer to bring one.
Let me know how you are planning to celebrate the Fourth of July!! Be Safe.