Festive red, white, and blue foods and recipes to eat for your Fourth of July celebrations!

Red, white, and blue foods should be proud: Not only do they wear the colors of our nation’s flag, they also hold valuable nutrients that help keep us strong and healthy. Here are some of my family’s summer holiday favorites….

Here’s my twist on traditional guac — it’s perfect for your holiday guests if you serve it with jicama and blue corn chips. Just add 1/4 cup of well chopped fresh beets to my famous guac recipe and you’ll have everyone talking about how creative you are! Avocados contain over 20 essential nutrients, including the type of fat that’s heart-healthy and delicious. You can keep calories down and keep the crunch up by adding other colorful veggies to do some dipping (even if they may not be in line with the stars and stripes).

This protein-packed Greek yogurt topped with blueberries and strawberries contains calcium, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C to keep you full, nourished, and energized whether it appears in your diet as breakfast, a light lunch, or a snack. Berries are lower in sugar than other fruits and full of fiber, leaving you satisfied between meals.

If you’re looking for a holiday snack that won’t break your calorie bank, try making a nutritious fruit salad. Bananas contain 12 percent of your daily recommended amount of potassium, plus fiber and vitamin B6, which helps your body make antibodies that fight off disease. Watermelon is over 90 percent water, which keeps you hydrated and full, plus provides vitamins C, B, and lycopene. To round out this holiday-themed fruit salad, add antioxidant-rich blueberries, which ward off inflammation and help your body fight disease. (That sounds like a sweet idea after a day of celebrating!)

My Patriotic Potato Salad is the perfect accompaniment to your burgers & chicken at this year’s BBQ! No matter how you slice it, these red, white, and blue-ish potatoes are high in potassium, fiber, and vitamin C, plus a host of powerful antioxidants to prove their dedication to keeping you in shape!

Whatever you do on this holiday, stay safe — and at the same time, have a blast!