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Tuesday, 7 June 2011

Healthy(ish) Choices For The Next BBQ

Is it just me, or are we already in the thick of BBQ season? People must be super eager to fire up their grills, because the BBQ invites are coming fast and furious. I love a good BBQ--especially when I don't max out on chips and dip (a weakness) and take a healthier, still-yummy route...
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It's one thing when you're the person in charge of the party--you can make the menu as nutritious (or not nutritious!) as you want it to be. But when you're a guest, you've kind of got to make do with what's there. So check out some of the healthier BBQ bets:

Pulled pork. If you're craving a rib or two of the baby-back variety, head for the pulled pork instead. It's a leaner meat, so it's lower in fat and calories.
Salad. Well, yeah. Almost every BBQ has a salad option (and we're not talking off the egg or potato variety). But if the green salad is missing, take some of the hamburger fixins--lettuce, tomato slices, onion--and make your own. Dress it with a dab of vinegar BBQ sauce, which is tangy but not too packed with sugar or fat.
Baked beans. As long as there aren't chunks of bacon floating around in them, and they're not overly sweet (meaning there's not a lot of sugar in the sauce), baked beans are filled with protein and fiber.
Veggie burger. If meat isn't your thing and the host has a few veggie patties lying around, remember that these guys are delish when they're grilled up like regular burgers. Nom.
What's your favorite BBQ food? How do you eat well at a BBQ?
Photo: Thinkstock

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