Sparkling fireworks and great company are at the heart of every 4th of July bash, but there’s another crucial component: the food. Whether your hosting or attending a party for this summertime holiday, it’s important to plan your tasty treats ahead of time. Unfortunately, many recipes that are considered traditional 4th of July fare are also high in calories. Mayonnaise-based salads and frosting filled cakes aren’t the only options for street side firework displays and back yard barbecues. There are healthy alternatives to these heavy dishes that explode with flavor and fizzle on fat content.
Firecracker Shrimp Skewers
Grilling is a cornerstone for 4th of July festivities. Yet a grill can be more than a catalyst for greasy burgers and hot dogs, it can be a tool for healthy appetizers and entrées. Grilled firecracker shrimp are a spicy alternative to the standard high-calorie foods of the 4th, and a great snack to kick off your evening festivities. 
Ingredients:
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
2 tablespoons Sriracha
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons sugar
2 cloves minced garlic
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Combine all ingredients in a Ziplock bag and then add raw shrimp. Refrigerate for two hours. Skewer the crustaceans and grill until they begin to curl and turn pink.
Serve with lime wedges and enjoy!
Watermelon Salsa
Summertime salsa is a delicious snack option for 4th July block parties, and here’s a new spin on a classic dip. The refreshing sweetness of the watermelon is offset with the spicy crunch of jalapeño in this healthy snack recipe.
Ingredients:
4 cups diced watermelon
1 cup red onion finely diced
1 cup green bell pepper finely diced
1-2 jalapeños seeded and finely diced
¼ cup cilantro diced
¼ mint diced
2 limes
Salt and pepper
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, squeezing the juice of the two limes over the top of the mixture. Sprinkle desired amount of salt and pepper over the bowl, and gently mix with a wooden spoon. Serve with flax seed tortilla chips and enjoy!
Red, White, and Blue Fruit Skewers with Low Fat Cheesecake Dip
This is a tasty and simple dessert fit for any 4th of July block party. The American colors and delicious blend of fruit and cake will appeal to guests of all ages.
Ingredients for the skewers:
Angel food cake, cubed in 1-inch squares
4 cups whole strawberries, washed and cleaned of greens
1-pint blueberries
Ingredients for the dip:
4 oz reduced fat cream cheese
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¼ cup raw sugar
Begin by making the dip. Combine the cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla and sugar with a hand mixer until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours.
While the dip is chilling, skewer your fruit and cake in alternating red, white, and blue patterns.
Serve on a large plate with the bowl of dipping sauce on the plate. Enjoy!
Mini Patriot Pies
Bite-sized sweets are always a hit at holiday parties, and these Mini Patriot Pies are a portable, reduced calorie treat. Pre-made phyllo cups are the base of this delicious dessert, and the rest is a creamy, fruity (and easy) delight!
Ingredients:
1 package of prepared mini phyllo cups (15 cups per package)
1-pint blueberries
1-pint raspberries
¼ cup whipping cream
½ Greek yogurt
3 teaspoons sugar
½ teaspoon lemon extract
Start by preparing the filling. Beat the whipping cream in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form. Add in the sugar and lemon extract and beat again until stiff (add a tablespoon of whipping cream if necessary). Then fold in the yogurt and refrigerate for two hours.
After the two hours have passed, arrange the phyllo cups on a platter. Transfer your filling into a gallon size Ziplock bag, squeezing the mixture into a corner. Snip off a small corner of the bag and squeeze the filling into the phyllo cups until just filled. Top with a raspberry and blueberry. Enjoy!
