Summer BBQ's

It's that time of year again, barbecue time!!

Hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, macaroni salad, ribs & beer!! What are we healthy eaters to do?

I have a few solutions to this "problem" that comes around every year.

Most of us aren't going to avoid the barbecue's just because we are trying to lose weight and get healthy. So we have to be prepared for all the summer time cook outs that are ahead.



Here are my barbecue tips:

-When hosting the BBQ, offer healthy choices. Use whole wheat buns in place of white, cook grass fed lean beef for your hamburger meat, you can also you ground turkey for your burgers, if hot dogs are something you can't live without at a BBQ then choose organic nitrate free all beef or all turkey hot dogs. If you're more of a chicken fan then grill up marinated chicken breast instead of thighs, legs & wings. When it comes to sides you can offer a healthy green salad, pasta salad with whole wheat pasta & veggies, cut up veggies and hummus, chips & homemade salsa & guac... the possibilities are endless with side dishes because most side dishes can be made into a healthier version of the original.

-When you are a guest at someone's BBQ, try to choose the healthiest options, and ask the host if there is anything you can contribute (like a side dish) then if you're are able to bring something, bring a healthy side dish. Not only with this ensure you have at least one healthy option but this might get other's interesting in eating healthy when they realize how delicious it can be.
If you don't see any healthy options and the host has declined your offer to bring a dish, then choose the best you can. Try a burger with 1/2 a bun or no bun. Steer clear of condiments, pile the lettuce & tomato on your burger. Portion control the rest. A little spoonful of pasta salad and maybe a slice of watermelon.

-Never go to a BBQ hungry, always have a little something before you go. It's less tempting to pile your plate high when you're stomach isn't growling.

-Drink water! Hydrate & fill up on water! It's my biggest tip of the summer! If you want to indulge in a beer or a glass of wine, increase your normal water intake by a glass for every alcoholic beverage you consume.

Most of all HAVE FUN and don't feel like you can't be part of the summer festivities because of your healthy lifestyle.