Who doesn’t love a summer BBQ enjoying scrumptious food with family and friends. Most traditional barbeque fare won’t win any health awards but if you find yourself attending or hosting barbecues frequently, there are ways to still partake without completely forgoing the festive atmosphere. Just indulge responsibly using this guide to know what to eat and what to avoid during the lazy days of summer.
Worst main entrée
- Burgers and bratwurst
These two favorite entrees are not your friend if you care about your health. Both burgers and brats have 17 grams of total fat with the burger coming in at 6 grams saturated fat compared to 4 grams saturated fat in a 2.3 ounce bratwurst. Add up their calories and sodium content, and it’s a no-brainer to bypass these two.
Best main entrées
- Ground sirloin sliders
- Salmon burger with yogurt
- Grilled shrimp and citrus skewers
- Grilled halibut and fresh mango salsa
Any of the above would be excellent choices for a backyard BBQ. Each of them are tasty, easy to make, and with far less fat, sodium and calories.
Worst side dish
- Potato salad
What’s a backyard barbeque without potato salad? A much healthier one! Depending on the ingredients, just one cup of most potato salads comes in at a whopping 357 calories, 20 grams of fat, and 3.6 grams of saturated fat.
Best side dish
- Corn on the cob
A classic favorite bursting with flavor, corn on the cob’s crunch has minimal sodium, fat, or cholesterol but does provide some key nutrients of fiber, vitamin B6, magnesium, and vitamin C.
Worst Beverage
- Margarita
If you’re trying to watch your weight, forget having a margarita. A traditional margarita usually weighs-in at 500-plus calories and more than 60 grams of sugar.
Best Beverage
- Light beer
There are many varieties of light beers with most averaging around 100 calories in a 12 ounce can or bottle. Michelob Ultra Beer with a clean, refreshing taste is one to try at only 95 calories, 0 grams of fat, and only 2.6 grams of total carbohydrates.
Worst dessert
- Strawberry shortcake
We know how good strawberries and cake go together but the way most strawberry shortcakes are made, this is not a match made in health heaven. You add up the calories from the cake and whipped cream alone and it’ll top over 400 calories with around 20-25 grams of fat.
Best dessert
- Chocolate covered strawberries
- Angel food cake with strawberries
See, you still can have strawberries and better yet, with chocolate. Everyone will ooh and aah over this decadent dessert. They are always a welcome treat and very easy to make. Angel food cake topped with strawberries makes you feel like you’re indulging without doing so. One slice of cake has only 129 calories and 0 grams of fat.
