Gather Around the Buffet Table!

http://www.flickr.com/, photo by bayasaa

I'm so thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in our country, and for this fun, festive day to celebrate that freedom!

Unless you live in a cave, it's going to be tough to make healthy choices today, so let's just get something straight right off the bat. You're not going to be perfect today. Don't set yourself up for failure by thinking you will. I know I'm not! I've saved up a "cheat" for today so I can enjoy some delicious, sugar laden dessert off the buffet table.

Having said that, I don't want everything I eat today to be a cheat, nor do I want to eat so badly that I feel terrible and can't enjoy this fun holiday! So, here are some tips for all of us who want to make at least some good nutritional choices today!

1. Drink plenty of water. This is a super old trick, but it totally works. When you drink a lot of water, especially right before you eat or while you eat, it makes your body feel fuller. Therefore, you won't eat as much.

2. Skip the bun. Unless you want that refined white hot dog bun to be your cheat (what a waste!), skip it and save your cheat for something more enjoyable! You can still enjoy some freshly grilled meat, but eat it with a fork and a generous helping of lettuce instead.

3. Find the fruit. Instead of loading up your plate with chips, find the bowl of fruit that will probably be there, and stack some of that beside your burger instead.

4. Bring your own alternatives. Make some deviled eggs made with vegenaise (no one will know the difference), bake some healthier goodies, or tote along a giant bowl of fruit to minimize your cheating.

5. Skip the sweet drinks. Okay, it's a personal opinion that drinking sugary sodas is a waste of a cheat. It may be what you look forward to more than anything else today, and if so, drink up. However, if you stick to water, you'll have room for some delicious dessert, which, in my opinion, trumps soda any day.

Whether you're spending today on the lake, at a parade, or just spending time with family and friends, I wish you a very happy Fourth of July!