The summer months are great for grilling out and spending time with friends and family. Here are some great ways to keep your cookout healthy, safe and delicious!
· Serve lean meats
oWhen you are in the grocery store shopping for your different cookout foods think LEAN!
oTry meats like turkey burgers, turkey or chicken hotdogs, white meat chicken and aim for your lowest percent ground beef, usually 90/10, 93/7 or 95/5. The second number indicates the amount of fat in the beef, so always hunt for the lowest number you can find.
oRemember to cook your meats completely! Using a meat thermometer will help prove it’s cooked thoroughly.
oAvoid cross contamination too! If you use a knife to cut raw meat, wash it in hot soapy water to kill bacteria before using it to slice buns or fruits.
· Try whole wheat buns when serving meat
oCheck out the variety of whole wheat buns next time you shop!
oRemember to look for words like "whole wheat" and "whole grain" listed first on the ingredient list to be sure your getting the nutrients.
oServe your buns on a separate, clean plate free from any raw meats.
· Serve fruits and veggies
oBoth fruits and veggies make excellent finger foods and kid friendly snacks to set out for people to nibble on before the grill gets fired up.
oStarting off with snacks such as a vegetable tray with cut up celery, broccoli and grape tomatoes helps to encourage friends and family to fill up on the healthy stuff first!
oWatermelon is a popular cookout addition and is a great way to keep guests full and hydrated! It’s made up of more than 90% water!
oSweet potatoes can also be a tasty addition to a cookout. Potato chips, potato salad and fries usually make an appearance, but are loaded with fat and sodium. Using sweet potatoes whole on the grill and adding a little cinnamon or sliced as fries is a great way to add fiber and a low calorie snack to the menu!
· Make water easily available
oHaving pitchers of ice cold water sitting out, maybe with sliced fruit for added flavor will be more appealing than coolers of sugary sodas after a game of backyard football or a swim in the pool!
Happy grilling!
-Christy Redmond, Nutritionist Senior
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