Friends, food, and fireworks. That’s how my family traditionally celebrates America’s birthday each year. But, while it’s always nice to socialize at a barbecue, it’s easy to get distracted with mindless eating (read: hot dogs and potato salad). To help you navigate your next cookout, we put together three tips for staying on track with your weight loss goals.  

Tip 1: Fill Up at Breakfast 

To set yourself up for success, make sure you eat breakfast. Aim for a healthy meal that’s high in protein and contains healthy fats and plenty of fiber to help you stay full for longer. Steel–cut oatmeal with walnuts, avocado toast on whole-grain bread, and hard-boiled eggs with fresh fruit are all healthy breakfast ideas.  

In a rush? Try this unicorn protein shake, a blend of strawberries, blueberries, spirulina powder, and Creamy French Vanilla IsaLean® Shake, to add some delicious magic to your morning. 

Unicorn Protein Shake  

Mini unicorn pinata drinking a pink, lavender, and light blue protein shake with a rainbow straw.

  • 2 scoops Creamy French Vanilla IsaLean Shake 
  • 1 tsp blue spirulina powder 
  • 3 oz blueberries 
  • 3 oz strawberries 
  • 8 fl oz water 
  • Desired amount of ice 

Directions 

  1. Blend 4 fl oz water, ice, 1 scoop IsaLean Shake, and blue spirulina powder. 
  2. Pour mixture into the bottom of a glass jar. 
  3. Blend 2 fl oz water, ice, 1/2 scoop IsaLean Shake, and blueberries.                                                                                
  4. Layer blueberry mixture on top of blue spirulina mixture. 
  5. Blend 2 fl oz water, ice, 1/2 scoop IsaLean Shake, and strawberries. 
  6. Layer strawberry mixture on top of blueberry mixture. 

Don’t have time to layer? Simply blend all the ingredients together, and enjoy!  

Tip 2: Prepare a Healthy Dish 

Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or heading out to a friend’s house, prepare a nutritious meal that you can serve to a crowd or bring with you. You’ll feel better knowing all the ingredients and will likely save some calories for a few bites of dessert … because balance is key!  

Try this healthy jalapeño Greens hummus, a great appetizer or side dish that will surely be a crowd–pleaser. 

Jalapeño Greens Hummus 

A bowl of hummus on a board of carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower, and bell peppers.

  • 16 oz chickpeas, washed and drained 
  • 1 scoop Isagenix Greens™ 
  • 1 cup cilantro 
  • ½ cup Italian parsley 
  • 1 garlic clove 
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded 
  • ¾ tsp kosher salt 
  • Juice from 2 limes 
  • ½ cup olive oil 

Directions 

  1. In a food processor, blend all ingredients until smooth.  
  2. Serve with your favorite veggies, and enjoy! 

Tip 3: Go Bunless 

If you’re craving a barbecue staple like a hamburger, go for it, but skip the bun to avoid the extra carbohydrates. Instead, eat your burger with a knife and fork, or wrap it in lettuce for extra crunch!  

Try this flavorful veggie burger bowl that’s less than 500 calories and loaded with protein. 

Veggie Burger Bowl  

A bowl of veggie burger with black beans, lettuce, cucumbers, avocado, and tomatoes.

  • 1 cup reduced-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed 
  • ¾ cup cooked brown rice 
  • ½ cup cooked beets, chopped 
  • 3 tbsp rolled oats 
  • 3 tbsp onion, minced 
  • 1 large egg white 
  • 2 ½ tsp smoked paprika 
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt  
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper 
  • 1 tbsp olive oil 
  • 4 cups salad greens 
  • ½ cup cherry tomato halves 
  • ½ cup cucumber, chopped 
  • ½ cup carrots, shredded 

Directions 

  1. In a mixing bowl, mash black beans. Add rice, beets, oats, onion, egg white, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the beans, and fold until all is combined. Form into 2 patties. 
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add patties to the skillet, cover, and let cook for 5 minutes on each side. 
  3. Divide salad greens between 2 serving dishes, and top with an equal amount of the tomatoes, cucumber, and carrots. Serve the veggie burger over salad. Drizzle with a low-calorie dressing or vinegar, if desired. 

 

Have a safe and happy Independence Day!