6 Ways Not to Blow Your Diet on July 4th

Summertime means longer days, warmer weather, and less clothes. Yay! But it also screams “Hello bikini weather, good-bye bikini body!” Kind of a paradox, right?

I don’t want to work hard all year to maintain my toned figure just to throw it away on graduation parties, barbeque’s, and weddings with enough food to feed an entire continent!

Instead of feeling obligated to try everyone’s favorite dish this July 4th, here are some tricks to enjoy your Independence Day feast without undoing a months worth of training.

#1. Just because it contains the word salad doesn’t mean it is one. Potato salad, for instance, is packed with dressings and mayonnaise. It wouldn’t even surprise me if potatoes weren’t listed as the main ingredient. But, if you insist on eating this “apple of the earth,” go for potatoes on the grill or baked potatoes– but light on the butter and sour cream!

#2. No more S’mores! If you just can’t resist that warm, chewy piece of heaven in your mouth… okay, go ahead and have one. If you can’t keep from eating five, then just stick to roasting a few marshmallows. Sure, they don’t entertain as many senses (am I right?), but you’ll still get to enjoy the gooey yummy-ness without the added flab.

#3. “Fuller! Go easy on the Pepsi.” Classic line from my favorite flick “Home Alone” and rings true for you. With the variety of food to chose from at a barbeque, don’t waste your calories on softdrinks. Two cans of soda can have as many calories and grams of sugar as a piece of pie! Instead, drink either diet sodas or water. You won’t even miss it and you’ll thank yourself later when you’re enjoying that s’more under the fireworks.

#4. Why did the chicken cross the road? To get the heck away from the deep-fryer! Load up your plate with chicken that’s baked or grilled only. A kabob with vegetables is even better. If the choice is only between fried chicken and a burger, then eat the burger. Yeah, that’s right. I’m telling you to eat a hamburger! Why? Burgers are the lesser of two evils because they’re packed with protein and contain no trans fat. By the way, skip the bun.

#5. Easy on the wine coolers, MILFs! It may taste good, but it’s packed with crazy amounts of sugar and alcohol, which packs on the pounds. Plus, mix all that booze with the summer heat and your holiday will surely come equipped with dehydration, headache, uncontrolled bodily functions, missing clothing, and a few choice words directed at your brother-in-law. Not a good thing in front of the kiddies. If you need some alternatives, see #3.

#6. You’re not fooling anyone with the veggies and dip. It’s the 4th, you’re splurging anyway, make it count. You can have vegetables whenever you want, so don’t waste your valuable calories on something you’ll be drenching in pure lard. Besides, these “vegetables” won’t erase the heaping bowl of chips you ate before the hot dogs even touched the grill. Save the calories for something that’s worth your while, like Uncle Bob’s annual spicy wings.