Top 5 Foods to Avoid at Your Labor Day Barbecue
Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and for many Americans summer is synonymous with the backyard barbecue. If you will be among the millions of Americans hovering over the picnic table or manning the grill during the upcoming holiday weekend, check out these top 5 foods to avoid:
1) Potato Salad – Loaded with artery clogging mayonnaise, this fat and carbohydrate bomb is a traditional summer staple. Just one serving of potato salad has over 350 calories, 180 of which come from fat.
Try instead: Grilled vegetables. Try asparagus, zucchini, or eggplant coated in olive oil and placed on the grill until lightly charred. The fat in the olive oil will leave you satisfied, and the veggies will have more nutritional content than the average white potato.
2) Hot Dogs – There are several reasons why you should avoid hotdogs. Here are a few: 1) The preservative found in hot dogs known as sodium nitrite is considered to contain carcinogenic properties and has been known to increase the risk of cancer; 2) high amounts of fat and cholesterol help to perpetuate the prevalence of heart disease in the U.S.; 3) Because hot dogs are pre-cooked, people will sometimes make the mistake of consuming them without re-cooking them.
Try instead: Brats. Brats (also known as Bratwurst) are traditional German sausages that are eaten on rolls with hot mustard. Although brats are high in fat content, they make a great alternative to hot dogs because they are not as highly processed, and are flavored with spices rather than additives.
3) Soda – Avoid all soda – diet included. High fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners are just a few of the common ingredients in soda known to cause health issues.
Try instead: Juice spritzers. Mix fruit juice from concentrate with seltzer water instead of flat water, and top with a citrus wedge. Cranberry with a lime wedge, or grapefruit with an orange wedge are two fresh options.
4) Potato Chips – An average serving of potato chips has 150 calories, 90 of which come from fat. And, it can be easy to mindlessly down an entire bag of potato chips out of boredom as you struggle to listen to Uncle Bob talk about his bowling league.
Try instead: Baked Plantain Chips. Make them a day ahead of time and store in an airtight container. Feel free to toss in your favorite savory spices for an extra kick.
5) Desserts (all of them) – Temptation can sometimes get the better of us, but with processed sugar, white flour, and butter ruling the dessert table at most family gatherings, why not take advantage of nature’s dessert?
Try instead: Grilled fruit. Lightly coat thick pineapple wedges and peaches with a glaze of honey and fresh rosemary. Place the fruit on the grill until the honey starts to caramelize.
Backyard barbecues don’t have to derail your nutrition and fitness plan if you make the right choices. Have fun and enjoy the end of summer.
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