THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE
Who doesn’t love picnic? Sun, games, fireworks and delicious food. But for someone that is watching their diet, picnics can be a disaster. This year, bodysculptor has given your typical picnic a makeover.
Follow the guide below to help you navigate the red-checkered tablecloth and avoid the foods that will cost you weeks of hard work in the gym.
Instead of: Fried Chicken
Try: Grilled Chicken
Why: Fried chicken may be tasty, but it is loaded with calories, sodium and fat. You can cut those numbers in half by choosing to say good-bye to the fried chicken.
Instead of: Full Hamburger
Try: Drop the bun
Why: By eating your hamburger without the bun, you will shave calories off your meal. Bonus points if you wrap the burger in lettuce leaves for an added punch of greens.
Instead of: Bread, cheese and cold cuts
Try: Lettuce wrap with cheese and avocado spread
Why: Cold cuts contain high amounts of sodium, which can add up quickly if you stack your sandwich high. Avoid the bread and cold cuts, and choose to make a lettuce wrap with a slice of cheese and mashed up avocados to save calories and avoid high sodium levels.
Instead of: Potato salad
Try: Coleslaw
Why: Traditional potato salad is packed full of calories, fat and cholesterol thanks to the mayo and eggs. Cut those numbers with coleslaw, which traditionally contains veggies (cabbage and carrots) and uses cider vinegar, not mayo.
Instead of: Pasta salad
Try: Fruit & veggie skewers
Why: Pasta salads get overloaded with high-fat dressings. Avoid the added calories by making veggie and fruit skewers on the grill. Peppers, pineapple and mushrooms make for a fun and nutritious skewer.
Instead of: Packaged chips & dips
Try: Fruit & cheese platter
Why: Though it may an easy snack, packaged chips and dips tend to be packed full of calories, sodium and fat. Grab a tray of fresh fruits and cheese to make a platter that will satisfy- without causing havoc to your diet.
Instead of: Lemonade
Try: Water with a lemon
Why: Store bought lemonade contains a lot of sugar and calories. A typical 12-ounce glass of sweetened lemonade can have 140 calories depending on the brand. Opt for a glass of water and squeeze your own lemon to achieve a refreshing taste without the added calories.