Fit Fare for the Fourth

You can enjoy the festivities and fun of the Fourth of July, and still eat healthy. Try some creative cooking this year with foods that give you a blast of flavor with little fat.

I loved the tagline on the cover of the latest issue of Clean Eating. “Don’t eat less, eat right!” I started to think about how a simple attitude adjustment where food is concerned may cause a shift in those defeatist thoughts some may associate with nutrition.

People assume when they meet me that I eat little or nothing. These would be people that can’t possible know me—because I love food. I love interesting textures, exotic flavors and fresh sauces. There is nothing I don’t eat—except fresh coconut, and that has never slowed me down.

I was fortunate to grow up in a family that had meals as an integral part of family gatherings. Also, because my dad is Italian and my mother is Cuban and Spanish, we enjoyed cultural variety. I wasn’t afraid of pigs feet in spaghetti sauce, blue crab after watching them die a slow death in my grandfathers sink, or ox tail in Spanish soups and stews.

We have raised our children in the same way. They prefer sushi to french fries and brussels sprouts to iceberg lettuce. The brussels sprouts usually have bacon in it, but whatever works.

I do admit, it helps to like to spend time in the kitchen to create meals that replace fat with flavor. Let’s face it, if you are going to eat right, somebody has to cook. Maybe with some fresh ideas and with permission to eat more plentiful, you can learn to enjoy it.

Be bold and load up on a juicy salmon burger and baked chili cheese fries that are half the calories and fat but exponentially more flavorful. Surf the internet for millions of light and delicious desserts that will satisfy your palate and leave you energized.

Get your creative juices flowing and start a new family tradition this year by adding a blast of flavorful and fit fare to your Fourth of July celebration.

For these and more Clean Eating recipes, go to clean-eatingmag.com.