Summer is the time to kick back and relax. Keep in mind, you can enjoy your summer without overindulging too much. With these seven tips, you can enjoy your barbeque without feeling guilty the next day!

  • Eat lean meats. The leaner the meat the better it is for you. Instead of picking up a hamburger, hotdog or sausage, consider trying chicken or steak. Even better, choose vegetarian substitutes like eggplant or portobello mushrooms!
  • Avoid carbs. When eating, consider eliminating bread from your plate to avoid the extra carbs.
  • Vegetables are your friend. Vegetables are great for you! They have many nutrients and vitamins that aid in making your body feel good. Make sure that they are added to your plate this summer!  
  • Water. Water is an essential part of any summer barbeque. For starters, summer temperatures can get very high very fast, so water is a great way to cool down and stay hydrated. Also, drinking a glass of water before starting your eat helps to fill up your stomach which helps you feel full faster and prevents overeating.
  • Be mindful of alcohol. Most barbeques serve alcohol, and for some this is hard to part with. Clear hard liquor has fewer calories than other liquors. Every calorie counts, so when picking up a beer, consider picking up the lighter version of the beer. Try to limit your alcoholic beverages to one.
  • Healthy desserts are good too! There’s no better way to end a barbeque than enjoying some delicious desserts. Always remember, dessert can be healthy too. Thank your body by filling your dessert plate up with nutritious fruits.
  • Stay active. Summer barbeques are a great time to catch up with your friends and family. In fact, you could catch up with them and exercise at the same time! Stay healthy by going for a swim, walk or even have a catch. No one said catching up needs to be done standing, so you might as well burn some calories while doing it.

With these few tips, you can enjoy your barbeque in a way that will benefit your overall health. So what are you waiting for? Start the grill, call your friends and enjoy the nice beautiful summer weather.