Healthy Summer Barbeque Tips

Summer barbeques and picnics can wreak havoc on your waistline. A typical summer barbeque includes beer or soda, hot dogs and burgers, chips, cole slaw, potato salad and at least one dessert. Even if you only had one serving of each, that could easily tack on 1,800-2,500 Calories; almost a whole pound of extra weight! You can make sure there are some healthy options for your next picnic or barbeque with these easy tips:

-Instead of beef burgers, steaks, and sausages, stack your grill full of baked fish, turkey burgers, and grilled chicken. Just because it's healthy doesn't mean it has to be boring! By using sauces, herbs, and Spices, your food can be just as flavorful as the fattier cuts of meat without all the waistline-harming side effects.

-You can substitute white hamburger and hot dog buns for whole wheat buns.
Or, forgo buns altogether; just add your burger toppings and eat the burger with a knife and fork!

-Instead of mayonnaise-laden salads and slaws, try grilling some vegetables such as squash, zucchini, peppers, portabella mushrooms, and onions. You can add a heart-healthy vinaigrette dressing or some lemon juice to get lots of vitamins and flavor without all the fat.

-Instead of regular potato chips, try some soy chips or have fresh vegetables such as carrot sticks, raw string beans, squash, celery, cucumbers and a delicious low fat dip such as hummus to go along with your meal.

-Fat and calorie-laden desserts can be substituted with sliced fresh Fruit. Or, you can make a healthier version of your favorite dessert such as this recipe for fruit cobbler.

Sugar-Free Fresh Fruit Cobbler (Serves 6)
Ingredients:
* 1 quart fresh strawberries or 1 bag frozen, sliced
* 1 quart fresh blueberries or 1 bag frozen
* 1 tbsp whole wheat flour
* 1/4 cup butter
* 1 tbsp white sugar Splenda
* 1/4 cup brown sugar Splenda
* 1/4 cup steel cut oats

Directions:
Toss berries with the whole wheat flour and white sugar Splenda. Pour into glass baking dish. In a small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar Splenda and oats with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over berries. Add 2 pats butter, if desired. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until berries are bubbling and topping is browned.

Just because you are trying to lose weight doesnt mean you can't enjoy your summer. Try a few of these barbeque tips and see how delicious it can be to eat healthy. Have a great Transitions summer!