Healthy Living
4 Tips to Avoid Weight Gain During Summer BBQs
Exercise your right to celebrate the holidays without sabotaging your health goals. From the beer to the burgers, a summer BBQ celebration can quickly eat into your Points® Budget. Use these tricks to enjoy the holiday while continuing to work toward your weight-loss goal.
1. Strategize Early. To offset surprises, ask your host about the menu beforehand. Then you can plan, save and budget your Points for the food items you really want to eat. If you have control over the ingredients, save Points by using a nonfat plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or mayo. Use veggies with dips instead of tortilla or potato chips. Or if sticking with chips consider single-serving size portions over party-size bowls.
2. Fruit is Sweet. There are many ways to serve fresh fruits as an appetizer, side dish or dessert. Freeze grapes, blueberries, and other bite-sized fruit for a cool refreshing treat when the temperatures rise. Or consider grilling colorful fruit kabobs. Just be sure to allow it to cool after removing it from the heat before eating.
3. Reconsider Condiments and Cheese. A few squirts of ketchup, mayo or barbecue sauce can quickly add up. Research ahead of time how many Points are in your favorite dips, sauces, and spreads. If possible, choose grated cheese over sliced cheese because it only takes a sprinkle to deliver a boost of flavor and this will allow you to designate Points towards something else.
4. Say “Goodbye” to Leftovers. Having a fridge full of extra dips and cakes can make it more challenging to stay on track after your guests go home. To eliminate the temptation, put out to-go boxes and invite guests to take home what’s left. They’ll appreciate the gesture, the food will get eaten, and you’ll benefit the next time you step on the scale.
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