The days in East Texas seemed to be getting cooler, but someone spoke too soon (sorry)! Now that we’re truly in the middle of hot day after hot day, many trips to the pool could be in order. With that, the weekends full of cookouts and and picnics pile on, which include tasty treats everyone enjoys. You want to delve into them as well, but too much of anything is a bad thing. So you don’t get burnt out on the food you enjoy AND you don’t find yourself gaining pounds that just aren’t necessary, here are some alternatives to the “usual suspects” (thanks Emily Abbate at The Stir):
Corn Dog
Oh corn dogs, how I love you. Seriously, though. Is there anything better than a corn dog in a park on a hot summer day? Doubtful. The problem? These beauties rank in at at least 310 calories a pop with a whopping 22 grams of fat per dog! Wowza.
The alternative: Get your corn dog fix with corn dog muffins at home. With only 130 calories and a quarter of the fat as their larger cousins, they’re a great way to get that same flavor.
Ice Cream
Steamy days + frosty treats = no brainer. My problem? I like to pretend that it has no calories whatsoever because, hey, if it cools me off, then it’s TOTALLY worth it … right? Well truth of the matter: a half cup of Ben & Jerry’s chocolate fudge brownie has 260 calories and 12 grams of fat. A half. Cup. When was the last time youonly had a half cup of ice cream?
The alternative: Hello, frozen ice pops. Is it the same creamy deliciousness? Not always. But they’ll cool ya down all the same. Plus you can make them easily on your own at home
Chips and … Anything
Something about summertime and Mexican food just seems to go hand in hand. Regardless, in moderation, chips are fine. However, one cup of the crispy finger foods will cost you 293 calories, and that’s BEFORE you top them with anything. Guacamole? Sixty calories for two tablespoons. Only. Two.
The alternative: Find out if your favorite Mexican restaurants will offer guacamole alongside sliced veggies like carrots, peppers, and cucumbers. Less salt and still get that crunch.
Burgers
Once the heat rises, barbecue and summer are pretty much synonymous. With that said, a burger with all the fix-ins, you can be in serious calorie overload.
The alternative: Go veggie. Trust me. Either opt for a grilled portabello cap in place of the meat patty or pick out a great veggie burger from your grocery store.
Any alternatives you’ve found that work great and taste delicious? Share your tidbits below in the comments section ~Nikki 🙂
0 Comments