Healthy tips for your next cookout

Barbecue season has arrived! Whether it’s an informal gathering with friends or a holiday celebration, outdoor barbecues are always a fun way to celebrate.

This summer, consider adding some healthier fare to your cookout menu. Go beyond the traditional burgers and hot dogs! Try these healthy ideas at your next cookout.

Feature some fruit. With so many delicious fruits in season, summer is the perfect time to make a delicious fruit salad for everyone to enjoy! Try these fruit salad ideas that are perfect for summertime soirees:

• Summer Fruit Salad: This flavorful dish includes so many of summer’s best fruits—nectarines, strawberries, watermelon, and more!
• Tropical Summer Fruit Salad: No matter where you live, take a trip to the tropics with this fruit salad, featuring pineapple, cantaloupe, bananas, oranges, and more.
• Very Easy Fruit Salad: If you’re strapped for time, this fruit salad is perfect for you. With only 5 ingredients, it takes very little time to prepare.

Grill something new. When you think of grilling, you probably think of meat. But grilling is a great way to cook fruits and veggies, too! Try these healthy ideas:

• Spear veggies like zucchini, onions, and squash onto kabobs or grill individual slices. They’ll taste great either way! Click here to get great tips for grilling veggies.
• Grill up some pineapple. It’ll taste great as a side dish or as a topping for a savory turkey burger. Click here to learn how to grill pineapple.
• Looking for an interesting dessert or side dish? Grill everyone’s favorite summertime staple—watermelon! Here’s how you do it.

Drink a little sunshine. You can make sun tea by placing a few tea bags in a glass pitcher of water and positioning it in the sun to brew for a few hours. For even more flavor, add some lemon or lime slices, or springs of fresh mint!

Not a fan of iced tea? Try making homemade lemonade (recipe here; aim for low-sugar). Or, have pitchers of ice water available—it’s the simplest and most hydrating beverage you can choose!

A few healthy tips:

• Don’t overindulge. Because cookouts often feature an abundance of food that you can pick from for a long period of time, it can be easy to overindulge. Determine whether you’re still hungry before having another helping.
• It’s okay to have treats in moderation, but try to avoid going overboard. If you’ve already had a treat and you’re still feeling hungry, put a handful of crudites on a plate and munch on them as needed. (It’s hard to go wrong with snacking on extra celery and carrots!)
• Enjoy more than just the food. Try to focus more on talking to your friends and loved ones than on eating. Or, organize an activity or game that gets everyone up and moving!

For Health Advocate Members

If you are a Health Advocate member with access to our Wellness Coaching program, give us a call! Your Wellness Coach can provide nutrition tips, help you get started with a fitness plan, and more!