Add A Mediterranean Twist to the Traditional 4th of July Menu and Keep it Healthy

The summer grill season is getting in full swing and the 4th of July barbecue is really getting ‘hot’ with unique twists. Stavros Mastrogiannis - a culinary institute graduate, nutritionist, health specialist, and fitness coach was born and raised in Greece and he loves incorporating Mediterranean foods and spices to American traditional barbecue menus.

In his menus he does not believe in denying yourself some flavor which comes from fat products. Mastrogiannis points out that the reason 98% of Americans gain weight back after going on a ‘diet' is because they have done just that and have followed a bland, uniform and prescribed menu pan. Additionally, he does not believe that counting and watching calories is the answer.

Mastrogiannis’ menus for the picnic and barbecue season offer:

Mediterranean staples such as beans/lentils mixed with non-traditional vegetables
Spicy and flavorful marinades that incorporate some fat products
Fish dishes that are filling and satisfying
Color in the traditional red, white and blue theme
Mastrogiannis is the author of The 8 Eating Rules and in these rules he spells out simply how to lose weight within your own dietary likes and exercise programs. Hundreds of people follow Matrogiannis program and the successes are significant not only in losing pounds and inches but in keeping weight off.

Stavros Mastrogiannis moved from his native country of Greece to the United States in 1987. He holds an A.O.S in Culinary Arts from The Culinary Institute of America and degrees in Fitness and Nutrition with numerous certifications, including CPR, Nutrition Specialist, and ACE (American Council on Exercise) certifications as a Personal Trainer and Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant. He is the founder of Olympus Personal Training & Weight Management Center in 1996. He is a source of inspiration for thousands, having organized the Danbury Weight Loss Challenge in 2004 and partnering with St. Jude Children’s Hospital for the Get In Shape for 2007 Challenge.