Healthier grilling is possible and can become a regular part of fun family cookouts. Most people choose to make hamburgers, hot dogs and brats – grilling favorites. These foods taste great but are not the healthiest ones to choose from for the grill. There are healthier foods you can grill that still have lots of flavors that will be enjoyed by all.
WHY TRY HEALTHIER GRILLING
When we are trying to lose weight or simply make healthier life choices it is wise to implement these across all areas of our lives.
Learning how to make simple changes can lead to big results. Grilling is a popular cooking method during the spring, summer and fall months and if you are family that grills alot…you really need to find some healthier options.
Healthier grilling is also EASY and you won't be sacrificing flavor or taste! These grilling tips will show you easy ways to make the food coming off your grill a little bit healthier!
CHOOSE YOUR PROTEIN
The first thing to consider is your choice of meat. Some of the healthier choices are skinless chicken breasts, fish, and lean ground poultry.
If you choose pork be sure to pick ones that say “loin” or “round” cuts.
If you choose beef to make sure that it says that it is “choice” or “select” grade of beef.
Fish, especially salmon and trout, have lots of health benefits.
No matter what meat you choose make sure that it is low in fat. If there is any visible fat be sure that you cut it off before cooking the meat. This will make the meat even healthier.
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REMEMBER PORTION SIZE
You should always be sure that the portion size of meat is correct. The proper portion size when it comes to meat is 3 ounces which is about the size of a deck of playing cards.
It is easy to get in the habit of eating two or three times as much protein as we need for a meal.
One protein that people often overeat from the grill is steak. It is okay to split a steak with someone else!
If you are eating burgers try putting them on a whole-grain bun to boost the nutritional value of the carb.
MARINADES AND SPICES ARE KEY
A great way to keep the meat flavorful is to marinate the meat or use a seasoning rub on it.
This will add great taste and keep the salt content down some as you will not need as much if any salt.
The recommended amount of the marinade to use is a half cup per pound of meat, while the recommended amount of rub is one tablespoon per pound of meat.
There are some tasty marinades that you can purchase at your favorite grocery store that work well with most kinds of meat.
You can also make your own homemade marinades.
Other meats work better with seasoning rubs. You can purchase some at the store or make your own. Another fun option is to join Grill Masters Club and get a special subscription box full of unique and delicious BBQ Rubs and marinades in the mail each month.
BRING ON THE VEGGIES
The next suggestion will add a lot of color to your grilling. Think about all of your favorite vegetables and grill them for a fresh twist.
They can be grilled whole or you can cut into chunks that will cook quickly and put them on kebabs to be grilled.
You can use some marinade on them or use healthy oils like olive oil or avocado oil to keep them from sticking to the grill during cooking.
DESSERTS CAN BE GRILLED
Now let’s talk about the hard one, a healthy dessert. Pick your favorite fruits and grill them. You can add a glaze to the fruit before or after you grill them if you prefer.
Add chunks of fruit to the meat and veggie kebobs are a new and delicious taste.
Some favorite fruits to grill are pineapple, peaches, watermelon, and pears. The natural sugars in the fruit will caramelize on the grill due to the high heat, giving them extra sweetness and flavor.
They will taste great and will make a great addition to your meal.
WHAT WILL YOU GRILL FIRST?
As you can see eating healthy at a cookout does not mean that you have to skimp on flavor.
Many different foods can be fixed for a healthy meal that has great taste and is packed with nutrients. The suggestions above are just a few of the ways to eat healthier when grilling out.
Here are some easy recipes for the grill to get you started:
- Grilled Cajun Chicken Kebobs
- Grilled Asian Turkey Burgers
- Pineapple Chicken Kebobs
- Grilled Mojito BBQ Chicken Tenders
Don't forget to PIN these healthier grilling tips for later!
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