HEALTH

Original: Eggplant Parm

Summer Try: Grilled Eggplant

When most people think of eggplant, the traditional cheesy, saucy eggplant parm comes to mind. But eggplant can actually be a great summer food when you wipe away the heavy ingredients. Try seasoning it with oregano, salt and pepper and throwing it on the grill when your outside enjoying a beautiful day. You’ll still get all those health benefits of the eggplant – fiber, Vitamin K, and antioxidants – without all those added ingredients.

Original: Snow Cone

Summer Try: Watermelon Slushy

Some people may think that eating a snow cone on a hot day isn’t that bad, but what they don’t realize is that the syrup used to flavor these snow cones is full of nothing but sugar and high fructose corn syrup. But there isn’t anything quite like a snow cone to cool you off on a scorching summer day, so try some healthier alternatives to making them! An easy option is to take some watermelon and puree it in a blender 'til it’s smooth. Then pour it into a container and let it freeze. When you’re ready for it, let it thaw a little and then dig in!

Original: Tacos

Summer Try: Lettuce Wraps

Tacos are a light meal, which makes them a favorite for summer time. But what if there was an even healthier option to those traditional tacos? Try taking all the same ingredients that you would put in your taco – meat, cheese, tomato, etc. – and wrapping them in a big piece of butter lettuce. Not only will these wraps be more refreshing than a tortilla or hard shell, but they will also keep your carb count low.

Original: Beef Burgers

Summer Try: Turkey Burgers

We know that no one can resist a delish burger on the grill during summer time. But if staying fit is on your mind, turkey burgers are the way to go. Eating a regular hamburger will rack up way more calories than digging into a turkey burger and not-so-good-for-ya fat and cholesterol. And for those of you that are worried about the taste difference, it’s hardly noticeable!

Original: Pasta Salad with Mayo Dressing

Summer Try: Pasta Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing

Pasta salads are a great side for any summer picnic, but when you load them with mayo dressing, the healthiness of this side dish quickly fades away. To keep summer salads light and healthy, try using Greek yogurt instead of mayo. This will give your salads a fresh and tangy taste! Also try adding lots of fresh veggies to your salad to up the nutrients.  

by Katie Takacs | 2/1/2016