The Battle of the Backyard Grizzle: 4 Tips to Stay Lean During BBQ Season

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, marking the unofficial start of Summer as well as the start of barbeque season. While many people anticipate putting on extra pounds during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Years, the Summer barbeque season is actually a time where more people gain weight. The typical culprit here is the endless flow of  weekend events that we will go to where the main course will usually consist of hamburgers and hot dogs, add in the extra calories from a cold beer and you aren’t exactly having a meal that is a staple of well-rounded nutrition. Backyard barbecues are fun and they are the foundation of the American summertime. So what are the options we have when it comes to attending these social events?  

1. Limit the Starchy Processed Carbs: Low carbohydrate diets have been popularized and used for years to help people lose weight. Every hot dog and hamburger are going to come attached to a bun. Personally, if I am doing the grilling I am not picking up the all natural, gluten-free, whole grain, kale infused hamburger buns for my guests (sorry guys). Most likely your host won't be either. Skip the bun, if there are condiments such as lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles stack them all together and you’ll find you will be pretty satisfied. Also, beware of the endless line of chips, pretzels, potato and pasta salads. Just because it has salad in the name doesn't mean it is a great option and many times these “salads” are covering in mayonnaise based dressings which can be oily and fatty.

2. Load Up on the Lean Protein: Hamburgers and hotdogs can get pretty boring so most people are going to offer a few other options coming off of the grill. Chicken, steak, shish-kabobs, ribs and sausages will find a home on the grill this summer too.  Grilled chicken is always a safe option, shish-kabobs have controlled portions of beef or chicken along with any veggies that find their way onto the stick. If there are garden salads, some fresh greens, and other veggies, pile them up high on your plate, slice up some of that chicken or beef and make a great dish you can feel good about.

3. Skip the Soda: This should go without saying but we’ll say it anyway. If you are attending a backyard function it is good etiquette to bring something along. If you are unsure if there will not be drinks that won't be loaded with sugar pick up a case of water. You’ll be helping yourself out, perhaps someone else, as well as being a gracious guest.

4. Have a Snack Before You Go: You might have to spend some time in the car before you end up at your destination, take that into account. Knowing that you are going somewhere that you will be eating may cause you to skip out on a meal earlier in the day. All this will do is turn you into an irrational vulture when you arrive, picking at whatever roadkill is on the table. If you feel satisfied you will be less likely to over-eat.

Having a plan will help you stay in control. Your host will probably want you to eat some more only to save them the time of packing it all away once everyone is gone. You are not being rude you are just being smart, besides if you do not have a ton of food left over after a barbeque you haven’t fulfilled your duties as grillmaster. You want your host to succeed too!