It’s that time of the year again when we are all taking out our grills from storage and firing them up for the first time. This year, consider your menu when cooking out as a way to cut some fat and calories from your diet. Spring into a healthier way of cooking out this year by following some simple tips:

1.          Choose low fat marinades

o        It’s the acid in marinades that makes meat tender, not the fat. Skip the high fat marinades to save calories.

2.         Choose between salads

o        Pick one of the following to serve: potato, pasta, or macaroni salad. All three are high in calories and, by choosing only one to serve, you’ll eliminate some extra weight gaining extras.

3.         Serve vegetables

o        Try grilling some vegetables and having a tossed salad to add a low calorie side dish and a lot of color and flavor.

4.          Get fruity for dessert

o        In this area strawberries are in season in June, blueberries in August. Consider taking advantage of fruits in season as they are full of flavor and nutrients. Serve fresh fruit instead of a heavier cake or pie at your next cook out. Add some whipped topping to help jazz it up!

With a few simple steps you can make great strides in cutting calories at your gatherings around the barbeque this summer. For  more tips, recipes or to have a personalized plan designed for you, contact Allyson Odachowski, Registered Dietitian at 716-686-3878.