Gathering friends and family in the backyard and serving up fresh, hot food from the grill is quintessential summertime. You absolutely don’t have to miss out on this slice of Americana if you’re taking part in a nutritional program. A healthy cookout that emphasizes fresh produce, lean proteins, and portion control can be every bit as fun and memorable.
How to Have a Healthy Cookout
Be Smart About Snacks and Sides
Potato chips, fried foods, and mayonnaise-heavy salads are all staples at backyard barbecues. But if you want to have a healthy cookout, consider ditching these dishes for lighter, healthier fare. Fruits and vegetables are your best friend—they’re colorful, nutritious, versatile, and delicious. Try out options like grilled watermelon, hummus and pitas, or a fresh corn salad, and you’ll have plenty to eat with less worry about straying from your nutritional program.
Choose the Right Protein
The centerpiece of a healthy cookout is the protein on your grill, and you’ll want to be pickier about your choice if you’re on a nutritional program. The saying goes that fat equals flavor, but leaner cuts of steak like top round and top sirloin pack plenty of flavor that you can enhance with rubs and seasoning. Even still, it’s best to eat red meat in moderation, so consider piling your grates with healthier proteins like chicken, fish, shrimp, and even non-meat alternatives like tofu or black bean burgers. Getting more healthy protein in general is important if you’re working on your fitness goals.
Practice Portion Control
Whether it’s the appetizer, main course, or dessert, portion control is key to having a healthy cookout and keeping with your nutritional program. Use smaller plates and only take a portion you know you’ll be able to eat comfortably. Eating your food slowly allows you to savor the flavors and gives your body time to catch up, helping to prevent you from eating too much. Portion control also means balancing what’s on your plate—you want about half of it to be vegetables and a quarter each for your proteins and carbohydrates.
Try a Nutritional Program with Somerset Hills Chiropractic
Want to lose weight this summer but not sure where to get started? Somerset Hills Chiropractic in Bernardsville, NJ, offers nutritional counseling that can help you get with the program. Dr. Eigenmann or I will teach you tips that can help you have a healthy cookout, including portion control and proper supplementation. To get started, call us at (908) 221-0808 or schedule your appointment online.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Brian Wallace
Dr. Glenn Eigenmann
Dr. Raymond Horman
