Healthy Side and Dessert Recipes for a Tasty Independence Day
Alexandria Iacobelli
| 3 min read
The Fourth of July means time filled with family, friends, fun, fireworks and food. Everyone is in the spirit to celebrate America’s birthday, but over-indulging in food should not ruin the fun.
An Independence Day gathering is incomplete without some tasty and festive red, white and blue recipes. The summery flavors in these recipes will keep you cool when temperatures are higher, and guests will appreciate the variety of dishes.
These recipes will excite everyone at your celebration almost as much as the fireworks. They are colorful, easy-to-make, delicious, and will help you stick to your healthy eating goals.
Side Dishes
- Red, White and Blue Quinoa Fruit Salad: The quinoa in this salad provides a great amount of fiber and protein, which soaks up the flavor from the fruit and dressing. This dish is a great side or can be used as a filling breakfast to help keep everyone energized throughout the day’s festivities.
- Independence Day Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels: Add a kick to everyone’s plates with these flavor-packed roll-ups. This healthier twist on the popular buffalo chicken dip will make everyone happy. The best thing about the pinwheels is that they help you practice portion control, instead of eating countless chips and dip.
- Watermelon, Blueberry and Basil Quinoa Salad: Nothing screams summer more like a ripe and juicy piece of watermelon. Watermelon is 92 percent water and blueberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin K and vitamin C. Once this recipe is put together it contains so many health benefits and is delicious.
Desserts
- Red, White and Blue Chia Seed Pudding: Chia seed pudding is an easy and delicious way to get the health benefits of chia seeds into one’s diet. Chia seeds are loaded with antioxidants, fiber and tons of protein. It is super fast to make if you are looking for a last-minute addition to your holiday meal plan.
- Red, White and Blue Cheesecake Bites: These rich, all-American bites are the perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth. Traditional cheesecake is packed with tons of calories. The great thing about this recipe is that it only takes a few ingredients to make and still provides a great, fresh flavor, while helping you stick to your calorie goals.
- Fresh Cherry Bombs: Cherries are in season during the summer, and are in a large abundance in Michigan. Cherries are delicious and very beneficial for health, with anti-inflammatory properties that could help lower the risk of heart disease. Dipping these cherries in white chocolate and sprinkles provides a patriotic look and sweet taste.
- Red, White and Blueberry Yogurt Bark: It only takes five simple ingredients to make this fun and healthy Fourth of July-themed dessert. Plus, Greek yogurt packs a lot of protein. A typical six-ounce serving contains 15 to 20 grams of protein, while the same serving of regular yogurt has just nine grams.
- Red, White and Blueberry Frozen Pops: These frozen pops are sure to keep you and your loved ones feeling refreshed and hydrated on a hot day. They are a healthy alternative to cold treats loaded with sugar and will get your kids excited about the holiday.
Photo credit: A Healthier Michigan
