Makeover Your Cookout: Five Ways to Throw a Healthier Get-Together

Written by Brit DeLong

[dropcap]As spring begins, the weather is warming up and grills are being lit as more and more weekends become occupied with cookouts. However, these gatherings can start to take a toll on your waistline if you continually chow down on burgers and potato salad every Saturday afternoon. Luckily, there are ways that you can keep your weight in check and still enjoy your favorite foods at warm weather get-togethers. Consider the following five ways to throw your own healthier cookout or barbecue.[/dropcap]

Make Activities Available

Games aren’t just for kids. Set up a game of Cornhole or lay out footballs and soccer balls to encourage some friendly competition. This not only gives people options for other things to do at your cookout, but it is also an easy way to incorporate fun activities that get people moving.

Give Dishes a Makeover

Typical cookout foods like potato salad and bacon cheeseburgers are tasty but can pack on calories. Lighten up these favorite dishes by making sensible substitutions to some of the ingredients. For example, opt for low fat mayonnaise for your potato salad as well as cutting the amount you usually use. Instead, incorporate other foods into the salad, such as onions and red peppers, which will make it more interesting and less fattening. Use lean turkey burgers instead of beef and swap out traditional French fries for sweet potato fries. Forgo the bacon and cheese toppings and make fresher garnishes available like lettuce, onions, and tomatoes. If you must keep the unhealthier staples at your next barbecue, try to add healthier options like a cucumber and tomato salad or vegetable kebabs.

Be Mindful of Condiments

Condiments like ketchup and mustard are often packed with calories and sodium which can sneakily derail your healthy eating efforts. Guests aren’t likely to give up these favorite toppings, but do offer healthier options that they can choose from as well. Hummus is a great alternative to use for dip and can even be used as a burger topping. Additionally, incorporate low fat raspberry and balsamic vinaigrettes which are better choices for salads rather than the standard Ranch dressing.

Utilize Seasonal, Local Produce

Spring and summer are synonymous with fresh produce such as watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, corn, and cucumbers. Highlight these foods by incorporating them into main dishes. Vegetables like squash, tomatoes, cucumber, and corn are great to grill and make a colorful addition to meals. Create a bright, seasonal fruit salad with berries, apples, and peaches and even use these fruits as tasty garnishes for spritzers and other drinks.

Lighten Up Your Beverages

Beverages are another source of empty calories which often add up unnoticed. Serving fun, refreshing, lesser calorie drinks is easy with a few simple substitutions. Offer flavored sparkling water as an additional alternative to soda or make lemonade sweetened with agave which is a healthier swap for sugar. For adult beverages, create fitter spritzers by using club soda and clear liquors, which typically have fewer calories.

The key with any cookout is to provide many options for your guests. By providing typical cookout favorites along with healthier dishes, you are expanding the choices available while also encouraging fresher fare. This way, you and your other health minded guests can dine without regret and still enjoy the next cookout or barbecue.