Summer parties offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy the season and socialize with friends and family. However, individuals on a weight-loss journey or who have had bariatric surgery may find it challenging to maintain healthy eating habits while still savoring delicious party foods. To address this, we’ve carefully selected a range of summer side dish favorites that you can serve at your upcoming gathering!
5 Healthy Summer Sides
Grilled Vegetable Skewers:
This recipe offers a wonderful way to add more vegetables to your diet while relishing the delightful taste of slightly charred veggies under the sun.
Ingredients:
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Mushrooms
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions:
1. Chop the vegetables into bite-size pieces and thread them onto skewers.
2. Brush the vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
3. Grill the skewers over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, turning them occasionally, until the vegetables are cooked to your liking.
4. Before serving, drizzle the skewers with balsamic glaze.
Watermelon Feta Salad:
This sweet and savory salad is a perfect addition to any summer party. It’s light, refreshing and incredibly easy to make.
Ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Feta cheese
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions:
1. Dice the watermelon into bite-size pieces.
2. Crumble the feta cheese over the watermelon.
3. Sprinkle fresh mint leaves on top and gently toss everything to combine.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad:
This salad is packed with protein and healthy fats, and it offers a delightful zesty zing from the lemon — a true flavor of summer!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup each of chopped fresh parsley, fresh mint and fresh basil
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pitted and halved kalamata olives
- 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the chopped parsley, mint, basil, red onion, red and yellow bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives.
2. Add the cooked quinoa to the bowl and toss everything together.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice, then pour it over the salad and toss to coat.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste, then sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Avocado Cucumber Salad:
This salad is wonderfully simple yet delicious, making it perfect for a refreshing side dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. In a medium-sized bowl, add the diced avocado and cucumber.
2. Drizzle the mixture with olive oil and lemon juice, and gently toss everything together.
3. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the salad to enhance the flavors.
Grilled Pineapple:
This sweet and juicy fruit is perfect for grilling, offering a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional desserts.
Ingredients:
- 1 pineapple, peeled and sliced into thick rounds
- Honey
- Salt
Instructions:
1. Brush a small amount of honey onto the pineapple slices.
2. Grill the pineapple over medium-high heat until it becomes caramelized and tender.
3. If desired, sprinkle with a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.
Conclusion
By bringing healthy side dishes to summer parties, you can ensure that you make food choices that support your goals while still being a part of the celebration. Remember, it’s not about depriving yourself of the things you love, but rather about finding healthier alternatives and making balanced choices.
So, gather your ingredients, fire up the grill, and get ready to enjoy a summer filled with delicious and nutritious side dishes!
