Healthy 4th of July Celebration

From Caralynn Arena, Program Intern

Looking for healthy ways to celebrate the 4th of July? There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday without feeling guilty. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Do something active! A long bike ride, paddle board session and outdoor games with family and friends are all great ways to enjoy the holiday while burning some calories!  It doesn’t have to be intense—remember, every little bit counts!

Try not to pick! Holidays equal lots of food, right? It just seems natural to pick at food all day long simply because it is there. Feel free to eat whatever you’d like but keep it in moderation and try to eat only at meal times.  If you do decide to pick-try to pick at fruits and veggies! They will make you feel full and are low in calories!

Ditch the sauce. BBQ is a huge 4th of July tradition it seems, but that doesn’t mean we have to smother our foods in the high calorie sauce.  Try a technique we utilize here at Hilton Head Health, dip and spear.  Ask for the sauce on the side, dip your fork in the sauce, and then spear your food.  It will greatly reduce the amount of sauce that you use and dramatically reduce your calories!

Drink wisely. For most, this is always a tough rule to live by when it comes to holidays.  Being with family and friends, it is easy to be compelled to drink more than you intended, or drink things you normally wouldn’t such as pop.  When it comes to alcohol, make sure to choose drinks that are low in calories and sugar.  When it comes to the sugary fountain drinks, try to steer clear, but if you decide to drink one- try to drink the zero calorie, diet drinks to reduce the sugar and calorie intake.  Whatever you decide to drink, drink it in moderation! Or better yet…drink water!

Lather up. Many 4th of July activities are usually outside. Be sure to lather on some sun screen before hitting the beach, going to cook-outs, or enjoying the outdoors. Sunscreen will significantly reduce the chance of getting sun burn, premature aging, and skin cancer.

The 4th of July is always a great time to get together with loved ones and to celebrate this great nation! From all of us at Hilton Head Health hope you have a healthy, happy, and safe holiday!