Last Updated on August 28, 2024
Taking your place before the grill on a summer afternoon is a seasonal rite of passage. Follow the tips below for outdoor cooking that serves your health as much as your taste buds.
1. Choose the Right Protein
Healthy grilling starts with healthy meats. Lean cuts like chicken breasts and pork chops have less saturated fat, yet still pack plenty of protein for a heart-healthy entree. Grass-fed beef also has less total fat, along with a host of antioxidant vitamins. Fish like salmon contain the healthy fats and vitamins that are an important part of a balanced diet. An assortment of healthy meats like the ones in this Grilling Sampler Box makes for a protein-packed cookout to please a crowd.
2. Trim Excess Fat
Trimming excess fat from your meat before grilling is an easy way to make any grilling session healthier. Less fat means lower flames, reducing your exposure to carcinogens that form on overly charred food. Opting for skinless poultry versus skin-on can have similar effects, as can lightly brushing grilled veggies with a healthy cooking oil, like olive or avocado oils.
3. Skip the Sodium
A high-sodium diet can have many effects on your body, including headaches, bloating and elevated blood pressure. Keep your outdoor cooking delicious and low on sodium by skipping the store-bought rubs and marinades and making your own. A homemade spice rub also means you can get creative and craft a blend that embodies your summer vibe.
4. Grill the Rainbow
Though delicious, a grill full of meat isn’t exactly a balanced meal. Luckily, there’s no shortage of vegetable-based summer grilling ideas. Add your favorite seasonal summer vegetables to the flame for simple sides that pack the nutrition you need for a rounded plate. Zucchini kebabs, marinated mushrooms and smoky corn salads will have any carnivore salivating. Grill some sliced peaches or pineapples for an easy dessert dripping with naturally caramelized sugar.
5. Pay Attention to Portions
A piled-high plate can seem like a reward after a long afternoon spent grilling in the summer heat. But portion matters when it comes to healthy outdoor cooking. Ideally, a portion of meat will weigh around three ounces—about the size of a deck of cards—with a variety of veggies filling out the plate alongside it.
Kinesha is an Executive Producer at ButcherBox with experience as a food truck owner, bartender, and content creator.
