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HEALTHY BBQ IDEAS
Summer weekend nights are a great opportunity to host an outdoor barbecue party.
Planning what to serve for your barbecue menu -- in addition to your basic grilled
fare of burgers, chicken or ribs -- is the best way to provide a variety of delicious
flavors and healthy nutrients.
Here are some healthy barbecue ideas and planning tips:
- Add vegetables - Many fresh vegetables we include in summer salads,
or place on the grill, not only taste great, but also provide a number of valuable
nutrients necessary to keep our immune systems at their optimum level.
- Always use safe food practices when cooking outside. Food safety
is especially important to remember in warmer months, because harmful bacteria in
food that can cause foodborne illness are able to thrive and multiply at such ideal
temperatures.
- Serve ice-cold, fresh lemonade or low fat milk - nutritious alternatives
to soda.
- Try fresh strawberries or kiwi with low fat ice cream or frozen
yogurt for dessert - a refreshing way to eat more fruit and meet your daily calcium
requirement.
- Use your leftover BBQ foods as lunch-on-the-run items for the next
day. Meals that include several food groups, including a good source of protein,
will help to sustain you throughout the day. For example, a BBQ chicken breast with
a slice of Swiss cheese on a toasted bagel.
- Stock up on fresh summer fruits and vegetables from your local
farmers market. Select a variety of fresh cuts of meat, poultry, and fish to enjoy
on the grill. The fattier cuts of meat, poultry and fish, like salmon, hold up nicely.
- Add fresh summer fruit to ice cream, frozen yogurt or shortcakes
for dessert.
Finally, remember to enjoy the summer months! Spend time with family and friends.
Take a sunset walk on the beach, in the woods, or even just around your block. Read
that book you have been meaning to get to and schedule time to relax.
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