Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — As menus for Fourth of July barbecues are finalized, some may find an aversion to green, healthy salads.
However, culinary expert Diane Sheya recommends adding more healthy side dishes instead of some of the holiday's more traditional staples.
"Potato salad is a big picnic item and so all of those things that go into a potato salad, like mayonnaise, really add up the calories very quickly," Sheya said. "Using a bit of oil and vinegar is going to add a lot of flavor."
She said grilling potatoes instead of boiling can add extra smoky flavor, and then throw in herbs and spices.
- Use a low fat or no fat mayonnaise.
- Use low fat yogurt.
- Toss warm potatoes with a good vinegar- infuses a lot of flavor, add small amount of olive oil.
- Use fresh herbs. They add great flavor and no calories.
- Instead of boiling potatoes, try roasting them on the barbecue. It adds a smoky flavor.
When it comes to pasta salads, the side dish can be heavy in carbs and calories. The favorite holiday side dish can become more waistline friendly with similar fixes as potato salads. Vegetables are a healthy way to bulk it up, Sheya said.
"How about some fruit or tomatoes in that?" she said. "Add a lot more vegetables .. grill those vegetables even."
Even deviled eggs, another barbecue staple, can be tweaked to be more healthy.
"Eggs are nutritious, but let's replace that mayonnaise again with something like yogurt or even cottage cheese," Sheya said.
