Who doesn’t love a good ol’ summer BBQ? Everyone needs a break once in a while. There’s something about the smell of a grill, the sight of friends hanging out on lawns, and the taste of juicy burgers that just screams “summertime!”
The trick is to balance things with healthy and nutritious dishes that won’t derail your diet or leave you feeling over-indulged when it’s all said and done. The key is to be strategic about what you bring, not just what you avoid. Here are some great ideas for healthy dishes that will leave everyone happy and feeling good after the party.
Grilled Vegetables
You’re already ahead of the game if you choose to bring veggies to a BBQ. But you can kick it up a notch by grilling them, adding a ton of flavor, and making them more filling and satisfying.
Grilling gives veggies a nice char that makes them taste smoky and caramelized, and the process also adds depth of flavor. You can use this technique with pretty much any vegetable, but try asparagus, bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, or mushrooms.
Tea Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
If you’re a fan of drumsticks, you’re in luck. These tasty little guys are one of the best options for a BBQ since they’re easy to handle and can be cooked on the same grill as other, messier foods like burgers, corn on the cob, or ribs. You could be attending a BBQ with your gym partners and need food that matches the energy supplement.
For example, Erythropoietin is one of the best energy supplements which requires a lot of iron. Chicken drumsticks give about 1.3 mg of iron, becoming one of the best matches for this supplement. If you are planning to start taking Erythropoietin, you can learn more at Esteroides Farmacia.
Drumsticks aren’t the most exciting thing to eat, but luckily, adding tea leaves brings a lot of flavor to the table. You can use tea leaves from a bag or lose leaves, but try to get black tea.
Quinoa Salad
Quinoa is a hearty grain that will give you a boost of protein, fiber, and other nutrients. It’s also easy to cook, so you can make it a day in advance and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bring it to the party. This salad would go great with some grilled or baked salmon or topped with some sliced avocado for a little extra flavor.
Burger Bowl
A good burger bowl is a great option for vegetarians or vegans. It gives you a lot of healthy nutrients like fiber and protein without the meat while also tasting great. There are many veggie patty options, so you should have no trouble finding something that works well. Beyond the patty, you can fill up the bowl however you like. Depending on your guests, you can choose a Tex-Mex flavor or a more Asian-inspired bowl.
Salmon Skewers
If you make salmon at a BBQ, you might as well make it fancy. Pick up some wooden skewers, slice the salmon into thin pieces, and thread them onto the skewers. All you need to do is coat the salmon in oil, salt, and pepper and grill them up until they’re done. You can add some lemon slices and garlic cloves to get extra flavor. If you have extra room on the grill, go ahead and throw in some vegetables as well. This salmon dish would go great with a salad or asparagus for a little bit of balance.
Healthy Mocktails
If you’re bringing beverages to a BBQ, you have many options. You could also go with a mocktail, which is a non-alcoholic drink. Mocktails are a great option because they give you some flavor without all the extra calories and sugar that come with alcohol. Plus, they’re easy to make, and you can make many of them at once, making them a great item to bring to a BBQ. Your basic mocktail only requires a few ingredients from fruit juice like orange, grapefruit, or pineapple work great.
Wrapping Up
There’s more to a BBQ than burgers and hot dogs. You can still enjoy a good old BBQ without completely ruining your diet. All it takes is a little extra effort and planning ahead. Bring some grilled vegetables, a quinoa salad, or a salmon or veggie bowl to make your dish stand out. Plus, you’ll be helping yourself out by not being tempted by the fatty, sugary foods that often come as part of the deal at a BBQ. Whatever you decide to bring to the party, just remember to eat healthily and in moderation.