Here in the US, we just celebrated a major holiday, July 4th. For many of us this meant not only a day off from work to celebrate our nation's birth, but also a time to gather with friends and relatives for the annual 4th of July Cookout.
Traditional meals for the annual 4th day cookout typically include barbecued chicken, beef, and/or pork, potato salad or pasta salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, grilled vegetable kabobs, hot dogs, and dessert. ( My experience is primarily of the southern cookout, so mileage may vary across the country; but these foods represent a typical holiday feast. ) Desserts vary greatly. This may include ice cream, custards, fruit pies, and/or fresh fruit such as berries, watermelon or canteloupe. But often times, combined with any of these other choices is cake.
For those choosing cake instead of fresh fruit, even the type of cake selected for the meal can make a big difference. For example, an average slice of devil's food cake ( approximately 2.5 ounces with icing ) contains 234 calories, 8.5 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein. However, a 2 ounce slice of angel food cake contains only 137 calories, zero grams of fat and 3 grams of protein. The angel food cake could be combined with fresh fruit for added flare and flavor. While this would add more calories, the fresh fruit would also add antioxidants, vitamins, and enzymes.
If choosing a traditional meal for the annual cookout, careful choices in ingredients and preparation can help make the meal healthier. The types of meats, dairy, and oils or fats selected can make a big difference in the overall caloric and fat intake. Adding fresh fruits and vegetables not only adds great flavor but adds a healthy component to the meal as well. Hopefully these are ideas you can integrate into your next holiday feast.
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