18 Healthy 4th of July Picnic Concepts

While a backyard cookout is one of the most popular ways to celebrate the 4^th of July, the options available aren’t always in line with a healthy diet. But at Nutrisystem, we’re all about helping you to still enjoy food—and festivities—to the fullest. We believe that when people don’t feel deprived, they are able to achieve the most success.

That’s why we’ve rounded up 18 healthy 4^th of July cookout ideas. Any of these recipes would make a delicious and festive addition to your July 4^th cookout.

1. Grilled Balsamic Chicken >

This Grilled Balsamic Chicken recipe is a great way to add some serious flavor to plain, old grilled chicken. The trick is to give your chicken some time to soak in the delicious marinade which combines olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian dressing, garlic and black pepper. While we love this marinade on chicken, it works great on steak or shrimp, too.

2. Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon >

The reasons for grilling salmon on a cedar plank are two-fold: It acts as a barrier between the heat source and the fish, preventing it from falling apart. It also imparts that delicious, smoky flavor from the cedar. While salmon is sometimes intimidating to prepare, this recipe will show you just how simple it really is to do. It’s a great way to get those valuable omega-3 fats and a boost of protein power.

3. Honey Glazed Chicken Skewers >

Skewers are fun, festive and delicious, making them a great choice for a 4^th of July cookout. This particular Honey Glazed Chicken Skewer recipe will help you to whip up a yummy glaze made from honey, chili powder, garlic, oil, low sodium soy sauce and lime juice. It’s got a little bit of everything—sweet, savory and just a tad spicy, too. You can add veggies of your choice to the skewers to amplify the health-factor. We personally love zucchini, bell peppers and onions, but the choice is yours.

4. Grilled Foil Packet Cheeseburger and Veggies >

Foil packets are one of our favorite 4^th of July cookout ideas for a few reasons. They contain some of the mess, help to lock in flavor, and allow you to create “diet-friendly” portions. This Grilled Foil Packet Cheeseburger and Veggies recipe will guide you in making lean beef cheeseburgers with lots of healthy veggies on the side. With onions, potatoes and zucchini cooked right along with your burger patty, you’ll infuse some delicious flavors into your meat and also get a big dose of antioxidants and fiber.

5. Grilled Shrimp and Scallop Skewers >

Seafood options like shrimp and scallops make a nice lean protein combo that is delicious on the grill. In this Grilled Shrimp and Scallop Skewers recipe, the seafood duo are combined with a medley of fresh produce like zucchini, bell peppers and red onions. They are delightfully colorful and will make an appetizing addition to your 4^th of July cookout.

6. Grilled Feta Salmon Burger >

Salmon and spinach make up the base of these burger patties, while some feta cheese adds creamy deliciousness. It’s a fun way to get your omega-3s and some leafy greens. If you like condiments on your burger, we recommend trying some tzatziki, relish or mayonnaise for added flavor. Or, you can even top this Grilled Feta Salmon Burger with a slice of avocado.

7. Tomato, Cucumber and Mint Mediterranean Salad >

Bright and colorful cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, mint and onions come together in this fresh salad featuring a honey lemon dressing. This refreshing Tomato, Cucumber and Mint Mediterranean Salad recipe is sure to become a staple at all of your upcoming summer get-togethers! And that’s something you can feel good about. A serving is a mere 34 calories and packed with veggie power.

8. Greek Orzo Summer Salad >

Everyone loves a good pasta salad at a cookout! By using whole wheat orzo, this Greek Orzo Summer Salad recipe boosts the health factor without sacrificing flavor. It has fresh diced cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers and delicious feta cheese. The homemade Greek dressing is a combination of lemon juice and olive oil. It’s simple, fresh and tasty.

9. Easy Melon Prosciutto Skewers >

This Melon Prosciutto Skewers appetizer combines some unlikely choices—fresh melon cubes (watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew) with prosciutto, cucumber and a balsamic glaze. It’s one of those combos you just have to try for yourself to believe. The flavors just work together, making this fabulous finger food a new favorite on your cookout menu.

10. Red Potato Salad >

What’s a cookout without a good potato salad? We know that potato salad is a cookout staple, so we’ve found a guilt-free way that you can still enjoy it. While full-fat mayonnaise is the typical downfall in a traditional spud salad, our version uses healthy Greek yogurt (with some delicious additions) in its place. The result is a creamy, appetizing Red Potato Salad that remains weight loss-friendly.

11. Grilled Asparagus Caesar Salad >

We know that salads are a go-to choice on a healthy diet. However, traditional lettuce salads can get kind of boring after a while. Why not switch things up with this Grilled Asparagus Caesar Salad recipe? It’s got all the flavor you love in a Caesar salad but uses nutrient-packed, superfood asparagus as its base. It’s such a fun addition to your cookout that your guests will be begging for the recipe.

12. Grilled Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms >

If you’re looking to choose more plant-based options at the cookout, this Grilled Stuffed Portobello Mushroom recipe will provide a meat-like meal that is nutritious and delicious. Simply season your mushrooms with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then grill and stuff with a delicious filling of chopped tomatoes, spinach, garlic and seasonings. It’s a dish filled with veggie power and incredibly tasty, too.

13. Grilled Peach Melba >

Don’t forget that the grill can also be an excellent way to prepare some unique desserts. Grilling fruit helps to caramelize its sugars and adds some unique flavor factor. In this Grilled Peach Melba recipe, halved peaches are cooked on the grill and then topped with a raspberry melba sauce and a mascarpone cheese mixture. It’s a beautiful, restaurant-quality dessert that is sure to impress.

14. Watermelon Fruit Pizza >

This simple, two-step Watermelon Fruit Pizza is a trendy snack recipe that will make a healthy and gorgeous centerpiece at your dessert table. A yogurt mixture including honey, cream cheese and vanilla extract is whipped up and spread atop slices of watermelon. Top it all off with berries, kiwi  and cacao nibs for added flavor and appeal. You could also just stick with blue

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any side effect to African Mango Extract use?

African mango extract is free from known side effects. This extract can cause stomach irritation or diarrhea. You should immediately stop using this product and consult your physician.

African Mango Extract Has Caffeine?

A study was performed to find out how much caffeine an average person takes in daily. Surprisingly, the results of this study were unexpected.

A cup coffee contains approximately 100 mg of caffeine. While a small glass contains 40mg, a cup of cola contains only around 40mg. But what if you could have caffeine without drinking any calories at all?

This is where African mango extract comes into play! It gives you the same energy boost that caffeine, but without adding sugar or calories.

African mango extract can also help increase focus and concentration as well as improve brain function.

What herb melts body fat?

It might not be possible without diet but herbs can help you lose weight. Many people have used herbs for this purpose over the years. There are many herbs that can be used for this purpose, including: Green tea (Ginko Biloba), Ginger root, Ginseng and Hawthorn berry; Milk Thistle seed; Mullein leaf; Rosemary, St John’s Wort and Turmeric. Valerian root is also available. Yohimbe bark is another.

The herbs can be used topically or orally. They provide nutrients that increase metabolic rate. These nutrients speed up the breakdown of glycogen stores and lipids within the cell walls. This causes the release in the bloodstream of free fatty oils, which can then used to burn as fuel.

Many herbs have been proven to improve immunity and prevent disease. This makes them ideal for those who want to avoid drugs and surgery.

Many people are familiar with the benefits of herbs. Some people are unaware of the power and effectiveness of these natural substances. Herbs can be purchased at health food stores, pharmacies, and online. A typical dose lasts for several weeks.

Green tea is a great example of a herb whose ability to increase metabolic rate can be seen. Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which increases the activity of enzymes responsible for breaking down fats in the cells. EGCG has also been proven to improve glucose tolerance. It reduces your risk of developing diabetes.

Ginger root is another example. The stimulant properties of ginger root are similar to those of other stimulants. It stimulates the digestive tract and increases metabolism. Ginger also helps to eliminate toxins in the digestive tract.

Other herbs that boost the metabolic rate are ginseng, licorice root, mullein leaf, rosemary, turmeric, and valerian root.

In most cases, drinking herbs in teas is the best way to take them. This allows the active ingredients to enter the bloodstream quickly and efficiently. If you are taking herbs internally, make sure that you have medical supervision. If you choose to consume herbs externally, make sure that you apply them directly to the affected area. You could inflict irritation on other parts of your body or cause damage.

What is African Mango Extract?

Vitamin C in this product is high, which boosts immunity. It is great for people who have the flu or are at risk of getting sick.

African mango extract is also rich in antioxidants, which help to lower the risk of developing cancer. This lowers your risk of developing heart disease or cancer.

Vitamins A and B6 in African mango are also good for hair growth and healthy skin.

African Mango active components provide a great supplement that will keep it looking young and feeling great.

What happens when you drink a green slushie every day.

It’s more than just for breakfast. Green Smoothies are delicious and healthy drinks made from fresh fruits and vegetables. They’re full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, as well fiber, protein and antioxidants. They taste delicious!

Green smoothies also have low calories and are high in nutrients. So all those extra pounds you’ve been putting on could be coming off thanks to this fantastic drink.

Green smoothies are simple to make. All you have to do is mix some greens with fresh fruits and ice cubes. There are many combinations that can be made, but we have listed the top ten.

1. Banana + Blueberries Banana Berry Blast
2. Spinach + Pineapple Healthy Superfood
3. Strawberry + Yogurt Strawberry Delight
4. Apple + Orange FruityGreen Smoothie
5. Lemonade + Peach Melon Madness
6. Pear + Kale Filled with Fiber
7. Grapefruit + Kiwi The Ultimate Detox
8. Mango + Avocado Tropical Paradise
9. Watermelon + Lime Delicious Hydration
10. Coconut + Cucumber Refresher

How to Take African Mango Extract?

It’s easy to take mango extract. Simply cut open a fresh ripe mandarin and scoop out the flesh to a blender container. Blend until smooth.

If you need a cleaner pulp, it is possible to strain it. Store in a cool dark place.

You can freeze the pulp for future use. The pulp can be frozen so that you don’t have a second batch to purchase when mango season returns.

Statistics

• According to another review from 2012, CLA may make you lose about 1.5 pounds (0.7 kg) compared with a placebo. (healthline.com)
• A 2008 survey noted that 33.9% of American adults trying to lose weight took dietary supplements (1Trusted (healthline.com)
• On average, they may help you lose 3–9% of your body weight compared with a placebo (56Trusted Source (healthline.com)
• On average, they experienced 28 pounds (12.8 kg) of weight loss, a 6.4-inch (16.2-cm) reduction in waist circumference, and a 6.3% dip in body fat (5Trusted Source (healthline.com)
• According to a 2014 review, even prescription weight loss pills don’t work as well as you might assume. (healthline.com)

External Links

healthline.com

• Glucomannan — Does it Work as a Weight Loss Supplement?
  

fda.gov

• Information for consumers regarding Dietary supplements
  
• FDA – Dietary Supplements
  

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

• Efficacy of a novel herbal composition for weight management – Stern – 2013, Obesity – Wiley Online Library
  
• Forskolin Consumption and Body Composition in Obese and Overweight Men – Godard 2005 – Obesity Research Wiley Online Library
  

ods.od.nih.gov

• Ephedra, Office of Dietary Supports
  
• Health Professional Fact Sheet: Dietary supplements for weight loss – Health Professional Fact Sheet
  

How To

3 Popular Weight Loss Pills and Supplements Reviewed

People who are looking to lose weight are increasingly turning to weight loss supplements and pills. There are so many choices that it is difficult to decide which product to buy. This article examines the most effective weight-loss pills and supplements currently on the market.

Exercise and healthy eating are the best methods to lose weight. These aren’t always sufficient. There will always be times when you don’t feel like exercising or healthy food isn’t easily available. That’s why weight loss pills and supplements are so popular. They can help you shed extra weight quickly.

There are many different weight loss pills and supplements, so here are our top picks. They have been reviewed, compared against other products, and we’ve listened to customer reviews. The three best products are listed below because they have been recommended by customers. For more information, please read our review of these products.

1. PhenQ-PhenQ – PhenQ has been shown to improve energy levels and increase metabolism. This product contains L-Carnitine Fumarate. Green Coffee Extract. Caffeine Anhydrous. Chromium Picolinate. Chromium Picolinate. Chromium Picolinate. This product helps to burn fat quicker than traditional diets, and is great for anyone trying to slim down fast.
2. Hoodia Gordonii Plus Hoodia Gordonii Plus Hoodia Gordonii Plus, a great supplement for weight loss. It contains powerful nutrients like Garcinia Sylvestre Leaf Extract (Gymnema Sylvestre), Bitter Melon Extraction, Chromium Picolinates, Raspberry Ketone Fat-Burners, and Gymnema Sylvestre Extract (Gymnema Sylvestre). This supplement can increase metabolic rate, reduce hunger pangs, increase energy levels, improve your overall mood, and lower your appetite.
3. Hydroxycut – Hydroxycut helps people lose weight. It is an all natural weight loss pill. It contains 100% natural ingredients such as green tea extract, chromium piolinate, caffeine and yohimbine HCl. It may not be as effective as other products on this list, but it does have a low side effect profile.

There are also benefits

• Energy Boosting. Several diet pills can give users an instant energy boost. This can increase cravings for junk food and sweets. Hydroxycut doesn’t cause any jitters or crash.
• Blood Sugar Balance – Diet pills may cause blood sugar imbalance. Hydroxycut is a great way to lower your blood sugar.
• Increased metabolism – It is no secret that diet tablets can increase your metabolism. Most diet pills can increase your resting metabolic rates (RMR) by approximately 5%-10%. Hydroxycut boosts your RMR further by boosting metabolism by 15%-25%
• Better Sleep – You probably know how important it is to get enough sleep in order to lose weight. Stress and anxiety can be reduced with diet pills.

The best part? All of these benefits come without any adverse effects!