Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer in the United States. For many Americans, summer is synonymous with backyard bbq. If you will be one of the millions of Americans either hovering over the picnic table or manning the grill this Monday, check out these top 5 foods to avoid:
1) Potato Salad – Loaded with artery clogging mayonnaise, this fat and carbohydrate bomb is a traditional summer staple. Just one serving of potato salad has over 350 calories, 180 of which come from fat.
Try instead: Grilled vegetables. Try asparagus, zucchini, or eggplant coated in olive oil and placed on the grill until lightly charred. The the fat in the olive oil will leave you satisfied, and the veggies will have more nutritional content than the average white potato.
2) Hot Dogs - See our earlier post about how hot dogs will kill you. Enough said.
Try instead: Brats. Brats (also know as Bratwurst) are traditional German sausages that are eaten on rolls with hot mustard. Although brats are high in fat content, they make a great alternative to hot dogs because they are not as highly processed, and are flavored with spices rather than additives.
3) Soda – Avoid all soda – diet included. High fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners are just a few of the common ingredients in soda are known to cause health issues.
Try instead: Juice spritzers. Mix fruit juice from concentrate with seltzer water instead of flat water, and top with a citrus wedge. Try cranberry with a lime wedge, or grapefruit with an orange wedge.
4) Potato Chips – An average serving of potato chips has 150 calories, 90 of which come from fat. And I know you won’t stop with just one serving. It can be easy to mindlessly down an entire bag of potato chips out of boredom as you struggle to listen to Aunt Wendy talk about her crossword league.
Try instead: Baked Plantain Chips. Make them a day ahead of time and store in an airtight container. Feel free to toss in your favorite savory spices for an extra kick.
5) Desserts (all of them) – Processed sugar, white flour, and butter rule the dessert table at any family gathering. Why not take advantage of nature’s dessert?
Try instead: Grilled fruit. Try lightly coating thick pineapple wedges and peaches with a glaze of honey and fresh rosemary. Place the fruit on the grill until the honey starts to caramelize.
Backyard bbqs will not derail your nutrition and fitness plan if you make the right choices. Have fun, wear sunscreen, and don’t get too addicted to my grilled fruit recipe. Trust me, if I had a grill at my desk, I would buy my local grocery store out of pineapple and rosemary!
Take Care,
Kate B.
