The 4th of July is SO much fun with fireworks, ceremonies, pool parties, and of course, FOOD! Whether you’re hanging out with friends or staying home, a little bit of BBQ food and yummy side dishes can make the whole day! And while 4th of July food usually consists of hot dogs, hamburgers, yummy treats, etc., if you’re eating macro-friendly, you might also want to add some macro-friendly dishes into the mix.
It’s all about balance after all! Having food at a BBQ that doesn’t make you feel totally bleh the next day is 100% worth it IMO.
Here are 5 of my favorite macro-friendly dishes you can add to your 4th of July menu this year!
#1 Shrimp Ceviche Salad
This macro-friendly Shrimp Ceviche Salad is perfect for any party! Of course, I know shrimp can be controversial, but it’s a great lean protein. You can even make this the day before and store it in the fridge, which makes it super convenient when cooking for a crowd.
This Shrimp Ceviche Salad is super fresh and light while still having almost 18 grams of protein per serving. You can eat it in a wrap, or you can set it out with a bag of chips, and let people eat it like a dip! It’s a great appetizer for when people are waiting for their food on the grill or just standing around chatting.
Another recipe similar to this one, if you’re not a fan of shrimp or even allergic, is my macro-friendly cowboy caviar. It’s also a delicious and easy dip!
#2 Peach and Goat Cheese Turkey Burgers
Another great way to eat more balanced on the 4th of July is by adding a few turkey burgers into the mix.
Of course, you can eat your turkey burger with the same toppings that everyone else will use for their beef burgers, but if you want to make it extra special, this Peach and Goat Cheese burger is PERFECT. Especially if you can find some yummy, juicy peaches.
I honestly never tire of a good burger, so I have a lot of really great burgers on the blog that you can choose from…
Here are a few of my other faves:
Fig and Blue Cheese Turkey Burger with Carmelized Onion
Bacon Cheeseburger with Secret Sauce
If burgers aren’t your thing, you can always do grilled chicken!
#3 Apple Cider Dijon Grilled Chicken
I love grilled chicken tenderloins, and I have a lot of different recipes for them on the blog. That’s the best part about chicken–it’s so versatile! This Apple Cider Dijon marinade is a FAVORITE for sure. It’s so easy to whip up and makes the perfect chicken every time.
These taste great on their own, but you can also stuff them in a salad, on a sandwich, or wrap. It’s the perfect way to get your lean protein in while still saving room for all the yummy extras!
Grill these up and serve them with your favorite yummy green salad 🙌
#4 Strawberry Summer Salad
This Strawberry Summer Salad is everything to me right now! It’s so good, easy, and super fresh. The perfect thing to add to your 4th of July party.
I haven’t written it up for the blog just yet, but I’ve added a shortened recipe to my Instagram. You can also find the full version on my meal plan though.
This recipe serves 6 people, so the perfect thing to bring to a party if you’re in charge of bringing something. Just toss it in a big bowl, then use your favorite dressing on the side!
I really love topping mine with Baker and Olive’s Lemon or Peach White Balsamic Vinegar…but I like that on basically all of my salads! ha.
If you want to bring a side that’s not chips or a salad, then you’ll love these loaded smashed potatoes!
#5 Macro-friendly Loaded Smashed Potatoes
These are so yummy and easy to track if you’re counting your macros. But even if you’re not, they’re just really tasty.
These loaded mashed potatoes taste best fresh, so I recommend serving them immediately. So if your 4th of July party is nearby or even at your house, then this dish will be perfect for you!
This recipe doesn’t take too long to make, but to save time, you can make the homemade chive dressing ahead of time and use Costco’s premade bacon for the toppings.
I love to serve these Loaded Smashed Potatoes with a yummy grilled protein, and it’s always a hit!
Macro-friendly Food for the 4th of July
Eating macro-friendly on holidays might feel impossible, but you totally can still eat your favorite foods while adding some healthy stuff to the mix. That way you’ll still feel good the next day! 👍
I have so many macro-friendly and yummy recipes on my blog, in my cookbooks, and in my meal plan that’ll help you feel your best while still eating food that actually tastes good too!
And if you’re short on time before the 4th, you can sign up for my meal plan and get access to hundreds of balanced and yummy recipes instantly! Plus, you can get the first 7 days free.
If you have the meal plan or my cookbooks, there are some GREAT recipes you can add to your 4th of July cookout. Some examples from the meal plan (cookbooks listed in parenthesis if applicable) would be this yummy BLT Pasta Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette (OMT), Corn and Avocado Salad, Chipotle Garlic Grilled Chicken (PLANNED), or even these yummy Burger Bowls(PLANNED).
Get my meal plan today!
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