Super Summer Feasts: The BBQ Guide

BBQ’s are a summer staple but if you’re not careful, the night could turn ugly when you pile up your plate with calorie laden items. Try these simple tips to stay healthy and enjoy the best of the hot season’s delectable treats:

#1: Vegetate

When we say vegetate, we don’t mean sit and be lazy. We’re talking about vegetables! Set up the fire, spoon a pinch of salt, garlic and pepper on to your favorite veggies and grill them. Pile your plate high with these. Our favorites include colorful peppers, asparagus, zucchinis and carrots.

For more on brightening up your plate, check out our earlier blog post about color coding your diet.

#2: Steer clear of ANY dressed salads

Dressed salads are your worst nightmare. While they may stack up more nutritionally, these salads can pack more calories in a small serving than a burger or deep fried fries (and who wouldn't want to have those instead?!!?).

Tip: If you really must have your potato salad or cole slaw, drain out most of the liquid to save on calories and fat
#3: Go bunless

How about just digging into your meats? Use a fork and knife like you would at a nice restaurant. This will not only save you calories on the bun, but you'll also slow your eating down. You could also try wrapping your burger, hot dog or chicken in a lettuce wrap (it's surprisingly really refreshing) or just opt for one side of the bun (hot dog buns are generally lower in calories so opt for those).

#4 Portion Contortion

A good sized burger and chicken breast is about the size of your palm. Stick with the average sized hot dogs (brontosaurus, foot longs, and any other varieties that sound like Jurassic Park are probably best left off your plate). Try to limit yourself to 1 side and keep the portions to the size of your phone. Your best bet is a knish with just 170 calories.

#5 Condiments

Swap sliced avocado for mayo, use ketchup sparingly, step away from bbq sauce and slather on the mustard.

For more condiment advice, check out our earlier blog post devoted to these delicious add ons.
#6 Walk around

Do a full lap around the table of food options before digging in. This allows you to assess the situation and prepare to make healthy choices as you begin to put things on your plate.

Final Note: Enjoy yourself! You're at a bbq not just for the food but for the company as well. Engage in conversation, throw around a football with your friends and family, and even offer to help the host and hostess move things along (set up, serving, cleaning etc.).