Grilling for a Healthy (and Yummy) Feast

With Labor Day quickly approaching, grilling season is coming to a close in some places, but is just a continuation of the same cooking style we’ve been doing for months. Most people grill hot dogs and burgers, foods that tend to be loaded with calories, fat, and sodium, but grilling doesn’t have to lead to a calorie-loaded feast. Grilling can actually be one of the healthiest ways to cooking because you don’t have to add a lot of fat to get flavorful food. Here are some healthy tips to get your BBQ back on track:

1. Instead of loading up on creamy dips and chips before your meal, try having fresh veggies with hummus or cheese and whole-grain crackers for appetizers.
2. Chicken or fish make great lower calorie main course options. Make your own marinade using a base of olive oil and some type of vinegar or lemon juice and add plenty of fresh herbs or other seasonings like salt and pepper. Cook the proteins to the correct temperature and serve with various veggies.
3. Classic side dishes, like potato salad, can be tasty without all the added calories. Substitute Greek yogurt for mayo in recipes with a creamy dressing and add tons of fresh veggies to side dishes like pasta salad.
4. Most vegetables taste great fresh from the grill because the heat brings out their natural flavor even more. Asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, and corn are just a few examples of vegetables that have a lot of flavor and not many calories. For a simple side dish, just drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and add some salt and pepper before you grill them.
5. Try making a grilled fruit salad with fruit like peaches, pineapple, or plums for a great dessert.

Grilling foods can be a simple way to bring out unique flavors in foods.  Not only is grilling quick and easy, but it is also a great way to serve up healthy dishes. Use this warm weather as the perfect time to try grilling foods for a quick and healthy summer dinner. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2015/06/29/ready-set-grill-15-healthy-bbq-ideas-from-nutrition-pros