You can’t get more typically Australian than having all the friends and family over for a barbecue to celebrate a weekend or having a get together.
And every weekend thousands of people all over the country will be tucking into the usual barbecue fare of sausages, burgers and fish, but for those on a weight loss diet barbecue food can pose a challenge. But at Lose Baby Weight we wanted to show you how you can have a BBQ and still manage to stay on your weight loss plan.
Sausages and Burgers
A barbecue wouldn’t be complete without sausages and burgers, but these processed meat products are generally very high in both fat and calories. For those watching their weight burgers and sausages don’t have to totally off the menu, but care should be taken over the type of products bought. Low fat sausages are widely available, and burgers can be made at home by mixing up some lean beef, pork, chicken or lamb with onion and herbs. Cut down the calories further by eating the burger on its own and cutting out the bread roll, mayonnaise and ketchup. Veggie burgers are often lower in fat than meat burgers, and the beans used to make them are also an important source of fibre in the diet.
Fish
Fish is always a healthy choice, and this is certainly the case with barbecue cooking. Fish is extremely easy to cook on a barbecue grill, either whole or wrapped in foil with some lemon, chili and herbs. As fish is low in fat and high in protein, it will also help you feel fuller for longer and reduce the risk of you feeling the need to snack a few hours later. Oily fish such as salmon are higher in fat, but the omega oils found in the fish also make them an ideal choice.
Kebabs
Kebabs are a great idea for barbecues as they can be prepared ahead of time and cook quickly on the grill. They can also be a very healthy option, especially if they have vegetables as well as meat or fish. Prawns, chicken pieces and beef are all ideal to be skewered and roasted on the barbecue, and some vegetables which work well are capsicum, pineapple, cherry tomatoes, sweet corn and zucchini.
Salads
Traditional salad vegetables are very low in fat and are an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. The problem is not with the salad itself, but with the dressing used on top of it. Mayonnaise and many other salad dressings are very high in fats and oils, so ensure you buy fat free or low fat dressings wherever possible. Alternatively, skip the dressing completely and eat your salad with burgers, sausages or fish instead.
Careful with the Carbs
Although carbs shouldn’t be banned completely, carbohydrates tend to be higher in calories than other foods and should be eaten in moderation. Choose wholegrain bread or pasta where possible, as it takes longer to digest and will keep you feeling fuller. Skip the bread (or try using mountain bread) when having a sausage or burger, and fill up on salad and other healthier choices instead.
Drinks
Drinks tend to be forgotten by people trying to lose some weight, but beer and wine can be high in calories and a few beers or glasses of wine over the course of an afternoon can wreck good eating habits. Wine could be drunk as a spritzer and mixed with sparkling water, and low alcohol versions of beer have fewer calories also. Alternatively, skip the alcohol completely and stick to fat and calorie free diet drinks, or plain water.
For recipes on Salads to make at your BBQ click here
For recipes on Burgers to make at your BBQ click here
For recipes on kebabs and skewers at you BBQ click here
And to see lots of recipes to make at your BBQ see our Spring & Summer recipe book here
If you are ready to lose weight then the Lose Baby Weight plans offer a healthy and safe exercise and diet routine.
