It’s that time of year again, when meats sales sky rocket and the scent of citronella and singed eyebrows fills the air. That’s right folks, its barbecue season.
Those sunny day BBQ’s can make for a great time, but a few weekends full of burgers and beers can have you wanting to slip into some sweatpants instead of your teeny bikini. While typical BBQ fare includes gingham-clad tables full of fatty burgers and hot dogs, mayo drenched potato and macaroni salads, and bowls of greasy chips, they can actually be the perfect place to nosh on fresh, clean and healthy foods that won’t ruin your waistline.
Be conscious of your choices, and follow a few simple tips to shave calories from your meals and inches from your frame.
- Opt for chicken or turkey over beef. Both make just as good burgers, but with a lot less fat and calories. Even better yet, marinate a portabella mushroom in some Worchester sauce, grill it, and use it as your patty.
- Kabobs are a great alternative to burgers- you can load up on colorful veggies and instead of the same old chicken or beef, switch it up and try shrimp or chunks of tuna steak.
- Use whole grain buns. Whole wheat offers a lot more nutrients and fiber which will keep you fuller longer. To cut calories, only use the bottom of the bun.
- Load up on the veggies. Pile your burger high with tomato, lettuce, pickles and onion, or think outside the bun and use some sliced avocado, pineapple, or grill some peppers and mushrooms to toss on top.
- Pass on the mayo and cheese, it can add up to 350 calories to your burger. Use mustard, ketchup, and relish to add some flavor, instead.
- For dips and creamy salads, like potato and macaroni, use plain, fat-free yogurt instead.
- Always make sure fresh fruit is available. If you are attending someone else’s BBQ, bring your own along to share. Watermelon, strawberries, blueberries and pineapple are best, because they can sit for a while without becoming brown. For that reason, stay away from bananas and apples.
- It’s easy to sit back and swill beers all afternoon, but go easy. Alternate with water, as drinking on a hot afternoon can cause you to become further dehydrated than beer alone, and will send you swaying over to the snack table.
- Don’t make the mistake of skipping a full plate and nibbling your way through the BBQ. You can easily consume a days worth of calories by grazing on chips and cookies. Build a healthy plate and step away from the table.
- Get active. Play some Frisbee, tag football, anything, as long as you’re moving. It doesn’t all have to be about the food, and you can even fit in a little exercise.
Most importantly, have fun! You’re there to have a good time, not to worry about how guilty you are going to feel tomorrow. So get out your “Kiss the Cook” apron and get grillin’!
