In the summer, indulgences are everywhere. But, despite the tempting graduation cakes and endless pasta salads, we urge you to go healthy! The season’s plethora of fresh veggies and fruit make it easy to try any number of healthy dishes. And today, we’ve made it even easier with some of our best healthy recipes.

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Lighten Your Carb Load

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Eating foods laden with heavy carbohydrates can leave your body feeling sluggish and even sick. Things like potatoes, pasta, cake and bread aren’t always the healthiest choices. Keep your meals light this summer and try a few of our recipes low in carbs. Our recipe for Summer Zucchini Bake combines fresh summertime veggies with plenty of seasonings. For a healthy taco alternative, try our recipe for Bell Pepper Beef Boats. In this recipe, bell peppers act as the “shell” for you to fill with all of your favorite taco fixings. Another great low carb recipe is our BBQ Chicken and Corn. Coated in a sweet and spicy marinade, this chicken is full of flavor, without the carbs.

 

Superfoods to the Rescue

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Healthy eating is all about making the best ingredient choices for your diet. To any aspiring healthy eater: cook with superfoods aka nutrient-rich foods that are extra beneficial for your health. One of the most popular superfoods today is the avocado. Try our recipe for Turkey Bacon Avocado Grilled Cheese and benefit from the avocado’s potassium and heart-healthy fats. Or bulk up on your omega-3s with our recipe for Salmon Cakes. Another fantastic superfood is broccoli, rich in vitamin C (powerful antioxidant) and vitamin K. Try our latest recipe for Broccoli Salad– it’s great tasting AND great for you.

 

Healthy Desserts

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Eating healthy is fine when it comes to veggies and fruit, but cutting out sugar? You might be thinking “no thanks.” Fortunately, there’s still plenty of healthy desserts out there that will tame your sweet tooth. If you’re in the mood for something sweet and salty, try our recipe for Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites. In this recipe, peanut butter and agave act as natural sweeteners with chia seeds and oats adding extra protein and fiber. Or if fruit is more your flavor, try our recipe for Berry Dessert. Make it healthy with sugar-free Cool Whip, Jell-O and plant-based Stevia (instead of powdered sugar).

 

This summer, ditch the cupcakes and heavy pasta, and instead opt for some lighter meals! As always, make sure to stop by your local Sparkle Market for all of the fresh ingredients you need to make your healthy dishes a success.