With Memorial Day this weekend I know I have barbecues on my mind. Barbecues can cater to many different tastes, and are a great opportunity for family meals!
People often get nervous before barbecues because they fear that they will over indulge. As my clients know, I do not practice or promote deprivation and I teach my clients how to fit their favorite foods into their daily diet. This means that it is possible to enjoy your favorite foods with out over indulging. With a few simple tips, your whole family can survive summer BBQ’s without feeling guilty afterwards.
Tips for a nutritious and delicious BBQ
- Be a good role model. Eat the way you want the rest of your family to be eating.
- Take a small plate for appetizers. If chips are your thing, instead of mindlessly eating out of the chip bowl, put a combination of chips and vegetables on your plate with either hummus or guacamole. Pairing the chips with vegetables and hummus or guacamole will help fill you vs mindlessly just eating chips from the bowl. Placing things on a small appetizer plate allows you to sample without filling up before the main meal.
- With summer comes a lot of fresh produce! Grilled pineapple and peaches taste great on their own, on top of chicken or fish, or paired with greek yogurt for a refreshing and healthy treat.
- Don’t show up hungry! A common misconception is that skipping meals will let you eat more later on. If you skip meals before a BBQ, you are likely to overeat and overdrink since the alcohol will affect your empty stomach quicker.
- People sometimes forget that food isn’t the only thing that contributes calories, and that alcohol counts too. I am not saying not to drink, but be mindful of how much alcohol you consume.
- Don’t forget to stay hydrated! If you are drinking alcohol, don’t forget to have water too. Do your best to have a glass of water for each alcoholic drink. Stay away from the empty calories in soda and juices, and opt for water and unsweetened iced teas instead.
I want to share some of my favorite items to serve at a BBQ with you
- Appetizers:
Caprese skewers (tomato and mozzarella)
Whole grain crostinis topped with hummus and cucumbers (keep some cut up cucumbers with hummus on the side for younger eaters)
Raw vegetables (have cooked vegetables available too for younger eaters)
Whole grain crackers
Hummus
Guacamole
- On the grill
Chicken burgers
Salmon burgers
Vegetable burgers
Grilled vegetables
Grilled peaches and pineapples
- Sides
Cheese tortellini in pesto sauce
Zucchini noodles
Sweet potatoes
Salads containing in season fruit
- Drinks
Rose
Beer
Water
Sparking water
- Dessert
Fruit salad
Icecream cake
(everything in moderation!)
Tip: Leftovers make great lunches!
What is your favorite thing to eat at BBQ’s?