We all know the importance of a healthy diet in keeping our bodies in optimal shape, but we also know how delicious food can be, especially at a barbecue. The aromas wafting from the grill alone can be enough to make our mouths water. And when the spread is ready, it’s easy to pile our plates high with the good stuff.
There’s no reason to leave a barbecue feeling guilty, though. If you know what you’re doing, it’s totally possible to eat healthy and thoroughly enjoy your food.
Follow these five tips to satisfy your barbecue itch and remain on your health streak at the same time.
1. Always Start With Vegetables
Yes, just like mom and dad used to say, you should eat your veggies first. If you aren’t one for filling up on raw carrots and cauliflower, consider bringing your own produce to throw on the barbecue. You also can stick to this advice by loading up your burger with lettuce, onions, tomatoes and any other veggies you enjoy.
2. Consider Fish, Poultry or Veggie Burgers
Contrary to popular belief, steak and burgers do not have to be the star of every barbecue. Fish, chicken and turkey are all excellent alternatives to red meat. All these cook well on a charcoal grill, though the type of grill you have can make a huge difference in the quality of your food. If you do go for red meat, purchase high-quality, grass-fed options.
3. Watch Your Condiments
Many of us grew up eating burgers with our ketchup — rather than ketchup with our burgers. But the amount of hidden sugar in this condiment is staggering. Adding condiments like barbecue sauce, ranch, mayonnaise and ketchup can turn a healthy meal into an unhealthy one quickly. If you’re craving condiments, try mustard or ketchup with no added sugar.
4. Bring Your Own Side Dishes
Every thoughtful guest brings the host or hostess a gift, and barbecues don’t have to be an exception. Instead of a bottle of wine or six-pack, bring a healthy side dish or two, or some extra veggies to grill!
5. Opt for Fresh Fruit Desserts
Whether you’re the chef or a guest, add some fruit to your meal as your dessert. It only takes a couple of minutes to cook most fruit on a grill, and the sweetness will really come through.
If you really want to be the life of the party, take a mix of fruits and create a fruit kebab for everyone. Cut up some bananas, peaches and pineapple, rotate on a kebab stick and grill until caramelized. Let them cool slightly and serve!
6. Eat Well and Enjoy Yourself
Adhering to a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to turn down invitations to barbecue with your friends. Eating nutritious food can still be delicious, as long as it’s on your terms.
Fill up on veggies, keep your sweets all natural, limit your fatty meats and condiments, and bring foods you know you can eat. Then enjoy the company, the food and the day as you make memories that will last long after the meal is over.
Written by Jack Thompson for Oxygen Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.
Featured image provided by Oxygen Magazine
Healthy Snacks to Curb those Cravings!
At MariGold, we love a party! It’s fun to get together with family and friends and enjoy a delicious barbecued meal.
A great way to help control cravings at a party or barbecue is to bring your own healthy snacks, or eat a good quality snack before you arrive.
This can help you to feel full and satisfied so that you’re less likely to pile your plate with unhealthy options.
Any of our food options at MariGold are a great choice for fueling up your day. You can start your day off right with a delicious cup of Protein Coffee. Getting a good quality dose of protein for breakfast can help kick-start your healthy eating habits for the rest of the day.
Or maybe create your own nutritious smoothie with a scoop of our Grass-Fed Whey Isolate Protein Powder for an extra protein boost.
Our Protein Bars are packed with premium quality grass-fed whey isolate protein and healthy fats like grass-fed ghee and organic coconut oil. They’re a quick and easy option too – just pack them in your cooler!
Not only can they help you feel full longer, but they can also help curb your sweet tooth with delicious flavors like Double Fudge Brownie and Cookie Dough. They are very low sugar as well, so they won’t spike your blood sugar levels either.
Our other snack options are great too. Our Fat Bombs also have the same healthy fats, with the added bone strengthening and skin rejuvenating benefits of our Grass-fed Collagen Peptides.
Bring some of our Snack Nuts to share! We have designed each of our combos to give you all the benefits of premium quality nuts, along with incredible flavors. Your friends won’t believe that they’re low sugar and full of healthy ingredients!
