4^th of July Cookout tips: Pick, Portion, & Pair

1. Pick out the 1 or 2 yummy sides that sound most appetizing to you
2. Portion them out according to the suggested serving size or smaller (usually a ½ cup)
3. Pair with healthier options that are just as easy and tasty to serve like mixed fruit, grilled pineapple, aluminum foil grilled veggies, or raw veggies with a low-calorie dip.

Sides can add up very quickly. 2/3 cup of potato salad, ½ cup of macaroni salad, and ½ cup of coleslaw can already get up to 770 calories, 40 grams of total fat, 25 grams of added sugar, and 1,045 mg sodium.

By only picking the sides you truly want, not overdoing the portion size, and pairing with some healthier options, you can help control for the extra calories, saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium that easily and unknowingly find their way to your plate, while still enjoying the cookout.