Choose lean meats and fish, marinate, grill and pair with the perfect side dish for a healthy summer BBQ.
There's nothing like celebrating hot summer day by breaking out the grill for a picnic. The good news is grills aren't just for burgers and dogs. You can grill healthy delicious foods that will help you lose weight.
Your main dish should be tasty and low fat. Forget about the brats and choose:
· Lean meats--beef tenderloin, London broil or extra lean ground beef.
· Poultry--turkey tenderloin or chicken breast.
· Meatless meals--eggplant or veggie kabobs.
· Fish-salmon--tilapia or tuna fillets.
Marinades are the key to creating healthy grilled meats that everyone will enjoy. Whether you create you own special blend, purchase a store-bought bottle or just add BBQ sauce for flavoring, adding a marinate will seal in the flavor and give the meat a tangy new flavor.
Pair you lean main dish with one or more of the following grilled side dishes:
· Roasted veggies
· Baked potatoes
· Sweet potatoes
· Fruit kabobs
Healthy Grilling Tips:
· Choose white meat.
· Remove the skin from chicken and turkey.
· Trim visible fat from meat.
· Choose lean cuts of beef.
· Marinate chicken, beef and fish for up to 4 hours for moist and tender meat.
· Consistently turn the food to avoid charring.
· Create foil packets to lock in flavor and reduce cleanup time.
· Wrap the ends of skewers in foil to avoid burning the wood tips.
For the perfect summer meal, pair these grilled items with fresh salad greens, whole wheat rolls and a reduced fat desert such as angel food cake with fruit of sugar-free Jell-O parfaits.
