Healthy BBQs | Fitzee Foods

As winter turns to spring, the weather becomes gorgeous and we spend an increasing amount of time outside. Invitations to pool parties and beach barbeques start rolling in and you have to figure out how to balance all of the food and drinks being offered to you without completely derailing your diet and fitness plan. So how can you stay swimsuit ready and still enjoy all of the perks of barbeque season?

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Snacks: As you approach the food table at a barbeque, your eyes will instantly be drawn to the bowls full of Doritos, tortilla chips, and pretzels. You know that you should head to the veggie platter down at the other end of the table, but this is a party, right? Just because you are at a party, it is not an excuse to give up all of the good habits and results that you have worked so hard for. Even on a cheat day, pay attention to portions. If you decide that you want to go for the chips, make sure to grab just a few and don?t linger around the table where you can absentmindedly keep grabbing more as you chat with friends. As you?re snacking, fill the rest of your plate with veggies like celery sticks, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers, and head for the hummus instead of the ranch dressing.

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Salads: Many people assume that a salad is automatically healthy. Obviously potato salad and macaroni salad are being excluded from this assumption and most people realize that they should avoid the mayonnaise-covered foods. But what about the green salad? It?s not covered in mayo and there are veggies in it, so it must be healthy. This is true, until you saturate it with dressing and throw in a few handfuls of croutons. Try to use a little less dressing, appreciate the flavor of the veggies, and if you can?t cut out the croutons, take a few less. Fill half of your plate with the leafy greens to avoid filling it with other side dishes, which are usually unhealthy and low in nutrients. You can fill up on healthy vegetables that will nutritionally satisfy you, allow you eat a lot of food without racking up too many calories, and keep your waistline in check.

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From the Grill: Grilled veggie kabobs and veggie burgers are a delicious and healthy alternative to eating hamburgers. But for those who prefer meatier options, eating from the grill offers quite a few healthy options. Grilled fish will give you a lot of healthy oils that will benefit your hair, skin, and nails. Marinate your skinless chicken breasts to get an extra punch of flavor while skipping the extra fat from the skin. Feel free to stick to a traditional burger, but make sure you have a ? pound serving, instead of a ¹/₃ or ? pound serving, and try to say no to the cheese. As far as other cuts of pork and beef, make sure to buy lean cuts and trim the fat before cooking. Utilize marinades and bold flavors to enhance the meats? flavors.

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Desserts: When the desserts are brought to the table, there is no need to run and hide! Portion control is still key, but you can also navigate yourself towards healthier dessert options. Most barbeques will offer a fruit salad, so load up! You will get the sweetness that you crave along with the refreshing and unrefined taste of the fruits. If the cakes and cookies are what you desire, choose the one dessert you want most and only have that. This will keep you satisfied and from overeating.

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Drinks: Drinks are an area people neglect to consider when deciding which calories to consume. Water is always your best option. It will hydrate and refresh you without adding a single calorie. Sparkling water is another good option, as it will fill you up more, so controlling yourself around the food may be easier. But if you are concerned about looking bloated in a swimsuit, stick to the still water instead of the bubbly. If you are craving more flavor than plain water, toss a strawberry or orange slice in there for a flavor boost. Sipping on sodas will make you bloat while adding empty calories, so save those calories for something you will really enjoy and can get some nutrition out of. If you are going to drink alcohol, make sure to do it wisely. Red wine will give you a good dose of antioxidants, while Guinness Extra Stout and other dark beers will give you antioxidants and prevent blood platelets from clotting, potentially preventing a heart attack. Light beers will not give those same health benefits, although they are lower in calories. If you are having mixed drinks, opt to make them yourself instead of buying mixes. Instead of using margarita mix, combine a shot of tequila, half of a shot of triple sec, and fresh-squeezed lime juice to save yourself hundreds of calories. Make your own hard lemonade by adding unsweetened lemonade to citrus vodka to save around 25 grams of sugar per serving.

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And lastly?enjoy yourself! The party is about being with friends and family and enjoying each other?s company. Don?t let the food take center stage; go play games like Frisbee, beach volleyball, and soccer. Don?t deprive yourself and spend the whole party miserably staring longingly at the food table. You can always get back to your fitness plan by attending a free Monday night Yoga class at FITzee to make up for your weekend. Let the barbeques begin!

For more about this topic, click here & here & here.

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To your health,

Katie Hitchcock, FITzee Foods Intern

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Source: http://www.fitzeefoods.com/healthy-bbqs/

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