Grill some fish.
Best to grill thick choices like salmon, tuna, or mahi mahi as they’re less
likely to flake and fall through the grill. Besides, the thicker ones are
easier to turn over. Grilled salmon is one of my favorites and a
summertime staple for me!
Grill vegetables.
Try zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and even
tomatoes. You can also put them on skewers for a nice touch as a side
dish.
Forget your buns.
No, not your butt, the buns for the burgers and hotdogs! If you’re trying
to lose weight, forget about the rolls or buns made from white
flour. Okay, I know a burger is NOT the same without a roll.
So try the rolls made of whole grains with fiber. Honestly, they taste
pretty much the same as the white ones but are much healthier.
Marinate. Marinate meat,
chicken or fish to add more flavor and keep the meat tender and juicy. If
you’re in a hurry, you can use the store bough marinades or salad
dressings. Just be aware that those store brands can be loaded with salt
so best to make your own. Use olive oil, lemon juice, low-salt soy sauce,
or even wine.
Trim the Fat. When possible,
choose lean, well-trimmed meat. Not only is it healthier but there’s less
fat to drip into the flames (which can cause the meat to burn, which not only
doesn't taste good but can be unhealthy). Take off any skin from chicken,
turkey and other poultry, and try to avoid high-fat meats like sausages or
ribs.
Try sweet potatoes.
They’re an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta carotene), and a
very good source of vitamin C. In addition, they're a good source of dietary
fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron. Despite the name “sweet”, they may
be a beneficial food for diabetics, as preliminary studies on animals have
revealed that it helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and lowers insulin
resistance. Just grill them like you would a regular baked potato -
wrapped in aluminum foil.
Have dessert. Grilling fruit
is one of the best kept secrets! Grilling helps bring out fruits'
sweetness as it extracts the natural sugar by caramelizing the surface.
The heated sugar liquefies and becomes a brown, sweet syrup. It’s a
wonderful way to end a BBQ, and you can even add a (small) scoop of vanilla ice
cream for a treat! Good fruits to grill are pineapple, pears, apples, and
peaches.
Stay away from “typical” fat-laden side dishes.
Or at least keep them to a minimum. Potato salads and coleslaws can be
loaded with mayonnaise, and chips are just empty calories. Try to eat
more vegetables (like the grilled ones mentioned earlier) and fresh salad
greens.
So BBQ-ing or grilling can be healthful without
being boring. Just be sure to fill up on the good stuff and keep the
calorie-laden foods to a minimum. I don’t know about you, but I prefer to
get my calories from the meat (whether it be fish, chicken or meat) and “save”
any extra calories for a nice, small scoop of vanilla ice cream to go with the
grilled fruits!
Posted by Heather on Thu, June 20, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Tags: Balance •
consulting •
Life-style •
recipes •
well-being •
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.