How to Keep your Barbecues Healthy
Want to enjoy everything summer has to offer? You may think that living a healthy lifestyle means you can’t eat what you used to do. That may be true for some, but people thinking about their health can still have fun and enjoy summer events like barbecues! Stay happy, and reach your health goals by following these tips:
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Hydrate first: Stay hydrated with water or unsweetened iced tea. Add a little something to your water to spruce it up. If you enjoy how your drink tastes, you will most likely drink more of it! Water with lemon, mint, lime or cucumbers is a refreshing way to increase your fluid intake.
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Avoid sugary drinks: Frozen drinks, soda, juice and sugary cocktails are of no benefit to your body. Calories from alcohol, sugary mixers like soda, and fruit juice also add up quickly. Stick with water, club soda, or unsweetened ice tea, especially if you want to save those calories for dessert!
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Watch your portions: Pick a small plate and sit down at a table instead of eating at the buffet. This will help you keep track of how much you’re eating. Start with vegetable options first, and then if you are still hungry you can always return for more!
- Dip sensibly: Dip raw vegetables in hummus or salsa. Starting with vegetables helps fill you up with healthy fiber and fewer calories. This will help you not over-consume higher fat/sugar foods. Guacamole is also a healthy option, but can be high in calories if you eat too much.
- Choose a lean option for your main dish: Lean meats are a great source of protein and are especially enjoyable when prepared on the grill. Lean cuts of meat such as chicken breast, lean beef, white meat turkey, turkey burgers and fish are a much better choice than hot dogs!
- Choose your toppings wisely: Toppings can quickly add up. Fresh veggies, avocado, mustard, pickles, and salsa are smart choices for toppings.
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Forget the bun: Skip the bun and get your healthy carbs from grilled vegetables instead. This will help you reach your fiber, and nutrient intake goals.
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Watch the sauce: Barbecue sauces are typically made with a lot of sugar. Try to use it sparingly or better yet, make your own version of barbecue sauce or marinades with healthy ingredients like tomato sauce, citrus, herbs and spices.
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Watch out for Dairy: Many prepared sides like potato salad, macaroni salad, dips, and potatoes and are made with sour cream, cheese and mayonnaise. Portion control with these dishes is especially important. If the option is available, try to choose mustard or vinegar based salads instead.
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Finish strong: Finish off with a healthy dessert. Fruit is one of the best ways to satisfy a sweet craving. Fruit salad ice pops made with fresh or frozen fruit are a light and refreshing dessert.
Barbecues can be tricky for those trying to watch their weight and stay healthy, but following these tips will help you enjoy all the summer cookouts without sacrificing fun or flavor!
