John The Grill Master with His Tips for a Healthy Summer BBQ

It’s that time of the year again.  Yes, summer is finally here! So you know what that means?   Everyone wears fewer clothes and shows more skin.  The foods you now consume are even more of a factor this time of the year! In the winter you’re able to hide underneath piles of clothing.  But there is no escaping now that summer has arrived! Summer also brings lots of BBQs and yes you can have a Healthy Summer BBQ.  Forget the hotdogs and hamburgers and huge buns.  Here are some tips on how to still eat and drink healthy and still have fun with minimal guilt!

A few of my favorites for a Healthy Summer BBQ

Barbecue Ribs

Trim the fat off the ribs and rub with this low-cal and flavor filled tangy spice rub with the ingredients below.  This allows you to eat ribs guilt free that are less than 250 calories a serving.

Ingredients: Chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, dried oregano, dried thyme, hot dry mustard, salt, pepper, ground cloves, pork back ribs and limes

Calories: 247

Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

This is one of my favorites from Men’s Health Magazine and always a MUST at any BBQ I attend.  You don’t have to be Argentine like me to enjoy Chimichurri Sauce.

Slices of beef are marinated in a Chimichurri Sauce, a tangy green herb-based sauce, which hails from Argentina, making them flavorful and tender. Potatoes compliment this dish nicely.

Ingredients

1 round steak, 2 cm thick, about 2 lbs.

1⁄2 teaspoon pepper

4 medium baking potatoes, washed and sliced lengthwise into ½ “ slices

Chimichurri Sauce

1⁄3 cup reduced-salt chicken stock

1-tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano

1⁄2 teaspoon crushed dried chilies, or to taste

1 small onion, finely chopped

1⁄2 cup finely chopped Italian parsley

 Summer Beverages

You need a few low calorie drinks you can enjoy during the summer holidays.  First rule – Stay away from the sugary mix drinks!  There are other alternatives to enjoy a healthier version of mix drinks. Instead of adding a half a cup of juices to your mix drinks, add a splash of cranberry or orange juice and squeeze a half a lime to it to give it even more flavor. Also use seltzer water as a mixer instead of calorie filled tonic.

Don’t let the long summer days stop you from eating healthy. Remember barbeques can be healthy!  Be sure to let me know your tips for a Healthy Summer BBQ.  Enjoy these tips and remember to eat the bear!  Don’t let the bear eat you!

Categories:Blog, ETB Team, Featured Stories, Healthy Foods, John G