When you’re trying to eat healthy foods, social gatherings can cause you to take a step back. Food is something that brings people together, and nearly every social gathering has some sort of food available. When you’re eating differently from your friends and family, it can make social situations much more difficult, unless you’re prepared.
It can sometimes be difficult to convince other people that healthy foods can also be delicious. When people think of healthy foods, they tend to think of salads, raw kale, or carrot sticks. Prove to your friends and family that healthy can also be delicious and bring these healthy snacks to your 4th of July gathering for everyone to share!
Almond Butter With Celery
Everyone likes dips, especially nut butters. Purchase a jar of almond butter and bring it along with some sliced celery for a convenient but healthy snack. If you can’t find almond butter, you can use organic peanut butter. You can even make your own almond butter by blending roasted almonds!
Veggies With Homemade Ranch Dip
It’s easy to go to the store and purchase a tub of ranch dip for the 4th of July. However, you can eat ranch dip with less guilt when you make it yourself. Ditch the dairy and use a jar of vegan mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, and chopped parsley. All you need to go with it are chopped carrots, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower!
Kale Chips
Most people don’t find kale chips appetizing until they try them for themselves. All you need to do is wash and dry a few bunches of kale, remove the stems, and tear them into smaller bite-sized pieces. Toss the shredded kale in a bowl with about a tablespoon of olive oil and sea salt. Add spices such as cayenne, chipotle powder, or garlic powder. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 to 15 minutes. They will be great served with ketchup or your new ranch dip.
Sweet Potato Chips
You can even serve sweet potato chips with ranch dressing! To make sweet potato chips, simply preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Rinse and dry 2 organic sweet potatoes and slice them into thin pieces. Toss the slices in about ¼ tsp. of olive oil and sprinkle them with a little sea salt. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for approximately two hours. You may want to check on them after an hour to flip them. Let them cool before serving, and enjoy a healthier version of potato chips!
Avocado Pudding
You need something sweet during a holiday gathering, and that’s where avocado pudding comes in. The pudding will actually turn out chocolatey and sweet rather than green like an avocado. All you need to do is blend together two peeled and pitted avocados, ½ cup of cocoa powder, ⅓ cup of maple syrup or agave, ⅓ cup of almond or coconut milk, and a few dashes of cinnamon. After it’s blended, put it in the refrigerator to cool for a few hours before serving.
You won’t have to show up to your 4th of July party empty handed when you can whip up these convenient but healthy snacks. For more information about nutrition and healthy eating, contact Premier Health Chiropractors and let us assist you and your family this summer.