Healthy Tips and Recipes for Memorial Day Weekend

May 25, 2012 · Last Updated on August 23, 2019 By Anjali Shah on· Last Updated on

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Memorial Day is almost here!

For me, Memorial Day is like the unofficial beginning of summer. It means lots of socializing, get-togethers with friends, picnics, sunshine, barbecues, and outdoor activities.

It also means lots of opportunities to indulge in those oh-so-yummy-but-not-so-healthy weekend barbecue treats! If you’re looking to enjoy Memorial Day guilt-free, but want to still be able to eat the things you love, this post is for you.

Here is The Picky Eater’s Guilt-Free Guide to Memorial Day, along with some healthy and delicious recipes for your weekend cookout.

Picky Eater Tip #1: Don’t have an all or nothing mentality. Don’t completely “go rogue,” eat whatever you want, and tell yourself you will start over on Monday, and don’t completely deprive yourself of everything and spend the weekend avoiding every BBQ either. Everything in moderation!

Picky Eater Tip #2: Make Smart Choices. If you’re a meat eater, stick to leaner meats like grilled chicken breasts, turkey hot dogs, etc. Try to keep the cocktails to 1-2 drinks max, and drink lots of water. Avoid all the mayo-laden heavy dishes like pasta salad and potato salad. Load up on fresh fruits and veggies. And don’t graze by the table for hours – take a plate of food, eat it, and then go mingle!

Picky Eater Tip #3: Get active! The weather during the long weekend is usually gorgeous, so if there’s a volleyball game or a frisbee game or a hike planned during your picnic or BBQ, participate! You’ll get some exercise and will have fun at the same time.

Picky Eater Tip #4: Enjoy yourself. Don’t count every calorie you eat, don’t try to stick to a super rigid eating plan. If you do happen to completely fall off the wagon, don’t beat yourself up about it.

Picky Eater Tip #5: Detox after the long weekend. Most of us probably will overindulge during Memorial Day. The best way to get back on track is to detox with this 7 day plan for clean eating. It will fill you up, you won’t feel deprived at all, and you’ll feel refreshed and back on track after 7 days.

If you happen to be hosting your Memorial Day BBQ, try some of these recipes for a lighter, healthier, but still amazingly delicious meal. Have a great long weekend everyone!

Homemade Guacamole

Hearty, Smoky Veggie Chili

Southwestern Pinto Bean Veggie Burgers

Green Pepper and Onion Pizza

Guilt Free Nachos

Gourmet Black Bean Tacos

Cherry Berry Crumble Pie

Secretly Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies