Let’s make healthy grilling simple this summer. My husband loves grilling so I completely understand that this is a part of American life. It simply is a great way to gather with friends and family, but it’s also easy to over eat all the wrong stuff. There goes the weight loss plan. I believe we can have fun AND enjoy healthy, delicious food simultaneously. There are 5 big factors to consider:
Vegetables Make Healthy Grilling Simple
It’s so easy to make a meal healthy by adding vegetables on the grill or a salad. Additionally, you can make vegetables an entrée such as stuffed peppers, grilled eggplant or Portobello sandwich, BBQ tempeh, etc. Being creative and thinking outside of the box allows you to engage in fun activities without sabotaging your health goals.
Focus on Sauce for Healthy Grilling
Heavy cream, mayo-based sauces are the biggest culprit for weight gain, inflammation, and heart issues. Experiment with vinegar, mustard, healthy oils, and skip the sugary BBQ sauce, ketchup, etc. Again, be creative. There are so many flavors in the world. We don’t need to drown our food in thick cream. I personally love mango or nectarine salsa on my meat/salad, hummus, or clean coleslaw without the mayo.
Healthy Grilling Using Fruit
Grilling fruit brings out so much sweetness. There’s nothing better than a ripe pineapple grilled. Yum! Likewise, try grilling peaches, fresh figs, or even tomatoes (in foil then dress with EVOO, S/P, and fresh basil). As for dessert, fruit ice pops using just fruit can be so refreshing for a hot summer day.
Drinks at a Grill
I think the biggest downfall at a BBQ is the drinks. Watch the sodas, juices, pina coladas, margaritas, beer, etc. Cold drinks go down so easily especially on hot summer days. Be aware of how much you consume.
Healthy Meats for Grilling
We definitely partake in grilling beef from time to time, but don’t forget all the other delicious options. Try grilling chicken, all the varieties of fish, shrimp, and the plant-based options too. Just eating less meat is enough to make a big impact on your diet, wallet, and the environment. Eat with intention and you’ll be better off physically and emotionally as well, but do thoroughly enjoy your food.
Happy summer and happy grilling to you!!
Support is Key to Success
Making lifestyle changes all at once can feel overwhelming especially with all the conflicting noise on the internet. Humans are hardwired to need support; seek it both personally and professionally. Get a free 30-minute phone consultation. See if this is the right match for you by addressing natural weight loss, cravings, emotional eating, balanced diet, disease prevention, nutrition, and getting to the root cause of what’s keeping you stuck. See what others are saying on Google and Yelp.
For more articles, read https://happyfoodhealth.com/blog
~ Samantha Hua, Nutrition Coach & Holistic Health Coach, San Diego, CA
