As we all celebrate this coming Fourth of July this year make sure to take time to remember the true meaning of the day, Independence Day.

The Fourth of July is a time to commemorate America’s declaration of separation from Great Britain that was made on July 4, 1776. Our freedom and our democracy that we have been blessed with is a direct product of the sheer determination from our forefathers who worked to establish the United States of America as a free country.

One of the favorite ways to celebrate is a good old fashioned cookout, Compared to frying food, grilling is a much healthier option because you can grill foods without adding oil or fat to them.

Here are some tips to keep your cook out healthy.

Switch your protein – Instead of grilling up fatty red meat try switching to fish.

Veggies- Grill up veggies to add flavor and variety. Try asparagus, carrots, corn, peppers or any of your other favorites.

Keep an eye on the Temperature – Don’t cook meat past its goal temperature: 165 degrees for ground poultry; 160 degrees for ground red meats or mixtures and fresh pork; or 145 degrees for red meat steaks or chops.

Replace salt – use herbs and spices or some of the salt-free seasoning mixes. Use lemon juice, citrus zest or hot chilies to add flavor.

Grill smaller pieces – Make kabobs to reduce its exposure to high grilling temperatures.

You can grill fruit too – grilled pineapple can be a delicious dessert. You can marinade, spice or just simply grill slices on each side for a few minutes.