Skinny Barbeque Foods

The sun is shining, the air is hot, and there is a delicious scent from the BBQ wafting through the air, and yet all you can think about is the calories and carbohydrates that you are about to consume. Well fret not, because a BBQ dinner does not have to be unhealthy or high in calories, choose from the following list of suggestions and you can enjoy your dinner guilt free.

Veggies and Hummus

If you are watching your weight or simply health conscious you should forgo the chips and dip, and consume veggies and hummus instead. Hummus is an excellent choice for dip because it is derived from chickpeas which are highly nutritious, and it is not only high in fiber, it is also low in calories and fat.

Corn on the Cob

Thanks to dietary trends such as the high protein diet, corn has received a bad rep over the years, but this delicious and naturally sweet vegetable is actually quite healthy. Corn is high in fiber, and it contains the minerals– magnesium, zinc, copper, iron and potassium; as well as the B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E.    What’s more, one ear of corn contains a mere 150 calories, so it won’t sabotage any weight loss efforts. Just make sure to go easy on the butter, or consider sprinkling the corn sparingly with natural sea salt instead.

Coleslaw

If given the choice between coleslaw and potato salad, coleslaw should win hands down .Coleslaw will provide you with a healthy serving of vegetables, and the fiber content will help to fill you up. It is also lower in calories, fat, sodium and carbohydrates then potato salad.

Grilled Veggies

Throw some mushrooms, peppers and tomatoes on the BBQ and you have a virtually calorie and carbohydrate free, yet delicious and nutritious side for your main course.

BBQ Chicken Breast

Chicken breasts are naturally low in calories, fat and carbohydrates and a great choice for high protein diet gurus due to their high protein content.  Moreover, the BBQ will add a smoky flavor to the chicken so you can forgo the calorie dense, sugar laden sauces that you might otherwise drench your chicken in.

Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is lean and rich in B vitamins, and it has nearly half the calories and one quarter the amount of fat, of a typical cheeseburger.

Salmon Burger

When most people think of a BBQ pictures of hot dogs and hamburgers come to mind – two food items which are highly processed and far from beneficial for the waistline. Despite popular belief, many turkey burgers are not much better—some contain a whopping 740 calories, 63 carbohydrates and 35 grams of fat per serving!   Salmon burgers on the other hand, are equally high in protein as turkey and hamburgers but they will provide you with more nutrients and fewer calories.  As an added benefit, salmon burgers are chocked full of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to fight off inflammation and keep your skin looking smooth and supple.

Fruit Salad