Healthy Summer Grilling
Think Vegetables.
Various colored peppers, Portobello mushrooms, zucchini, summer squash and sweet potato are delicious grilled. Just slice in strips, spritz with a little olive oil, add some salt & pepper and place directly on the grill. Portobello mushrooms make excellent alternatives to burgers too!
Think Before You Drink.
We all know what contributes the most calories at BBQs! It’s the beverages. Whether beer, wine, sangria or soda, it’s easy to over-indulge when we’re having fun with friends. Try different alternatives to beer and soda by making fun, non alcoholic drinks like fruit infused water or a “signature cocktail” by being mindful about the ingredients.
Think Outside the Cow.
While burgers are synonymous with BBQ, there are many ways to prepare chicken and seafood to provide equally satisfying choices. Try marinating chicken overnight in an Italian dressing or cooking salmon on a cedar plank for extra flavor and limited mess!
Lighten’ Up.
Keep side dishes lighter in calories and fat by using low fat yogurt, sour cream or mayonnaise and use less of it in things like potato and pasta salads. Replace chips with crunchy veggies, rice crackers, with hummus or light dips. Serve fruit as dessert.
Keep it Lean.
When choosing meats for your BBQ, select those lower in fat. For burger meat, this means at least 85% lean. Organic, grass-fed beef is very tender while also being extremely lean. Buffalo and bison are other options for lean meats.
