I hope your grill is hot and your tummy is grumbling for some summer barbecues. I love grilling season because it is a great time to spend time with family and friends, get outside, and enjoy some delicious food.
In lieu of the typical hotdogs and s’mores that aren’t ideal healthy choices, I thought I would share some of my favorite tips and tricks for a healthy summer BBQ so you can enjoy and still feel great.
Load up on veggies – If your cooking, grill a bunch of kebabs full colorful peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli. If you aren’t the one cooking, bring a big veggie tray with hummus or guacamole and fill your plate! Vegetables provide so many vital vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, plus they are full of fiber to help fill you up without breaking the calorie bank.
Cut the carbs in half – Yep, I’m talking about the (whole grain!) bun. Go open face on your hamburger, turkey burger, or veggie burger so you only get half the carbs and calories of a whole bun. I like these sprouted whole grain hamburger buns with super clean ingredients. Or, if you are feeling super healthy, try two big pieces of lettuce for your bun. (I always suggest any type of burger over a hotdog since hot dogs are full of sodium and processed chemicals).
Water, water, water! I know soda, lemonade, beer, and ice tea are BBQ classics, but you can easily save 200+ calories by only drinking water. Try squeezing in a lemon or some berries to add flavor, or bring your own reusable straw to make drinking a little more fun! (Click here for my favorite glass straws from Amazon.)
Choose fruit for dessert- ‘Tis the season of nice, juicy watermelons and delicious fruit salads. Take advantage of natures candy and munch on some nutrient filled grapes and berries instead of reaching for the bag of marshmallows. I love this watermelon and feta salad from Delish.com!
Get moving - Go for a walk and enjoy the weather after dinner, or play with the kids in the back yard. Planning an activity for after the meal can help prevent overeating (since nobody wants to run around on an overly full stomach). Exercise also helps your food digest better – not to mention you burn a few extra calories in the process.
What are your favorite healthy BBQ tips? Comment below!
Happy grilling and happy summer!