The Fourth of July is a welcome day off for many of us, but it can also be an unhealthy time thanks to all the weekend’s barbecues. But if you’re looking to offer your guests healthier fare, Elizabeth Schaub, R.D., L.D., CDE, an outpatient dietitian at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, offers the following tips.

Opt for leaner meats. Skip the fatty burgers and hot dogs, and serve chicken or fish instead, Schaub says. Lean pork, lean cuts of beef and turkey sausages are also good choices. A possible surprise option, Schaub says, is bison burgers. “They are extremely lean,” she adds. “But because they’re so low in fat, they can be hard to cook. Be careful not to dry them out.” And remember to serve them with whole-wheat buns.

Add veggies to the mix. Grilled corn on the cob is a popular cookout option, Schaub says. She also suggests grilled vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers and mushrooms. “You can throw just about anything in a grill basket,” she says. “Just a little bit of butter—less than two teaspoons—will be enough for the entire basket to add some flavor. Or you can use olive oil and balsamic vinegar.”

Select healthier sides. Pasta and potato salads are often laden with mayonnaise. Instead, Schaub says, prepare salads that use vinegar or mustard instead of mayo. “Beans can be very healthy. They’re high in fiber and low in fat, but bacon, ham hock and brown sugar can make them less healthy,” she says. “Instead, season them with diced tomatoes, jalapeños or spices.”

Choose a healthier dessert. Berries and low-fat whipped topping with angel food cake is a great, low-fat summer dessert, Schaub says.

Watch for food poisoning. If the temperature is above 90 degrees, food should not be left out for more than hour. To help preserve cold foods, keep them in a cooler until mealtime, and set containers on trays of ice.

To learn how Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano can help you improve your health through medical nutrition therapy, click here.