Here’s to a healthy barbecue season!

With summer finally upon us, it’s time to get outdoors, fire up the grill, and enjoy the mouth-watering tastes and smells of the season. While barbecuing opens the door to a whole new realm of easy mealtime possibilities, it doesn’t change your desire to keep feeding nutritious foods to the ones you love. Fortunately, there’s no need to compromise. There are plenty of ways to incorporate smart, natural and healthy choices into your barbecue routine.

Burgers made from extra lean ground beef, chicken breasts without the skin, filets, top sirloin, flank steaks and pork tenderloin are all nice, lean meat options, as are turkey burgers and turkey wieners. Looking for nutritious meat alternatives? Fish tastes outstanding when cooked on the grill. Vegetarian fare has also come a long way over the years, so don’t be afraid to give tofu burgers and veggie dogs a try.

You’ve cooked the meat, you’ve warmed the buns, and now it’s time to dress that burger. What do you choose? Say no to ketchup and store-bought relishes. They’re loaded with sugar. Try fresh, natural and delicious topping alternatives like salsa, guacamole, sliced vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet onions, tangy sauerkraut, savoury hummus and tzatziki.

Remember, your barbecue is good for more than cooking meat. While salads make a healthy accompaniment to any meal, especially when tossed in a light, natural dressing of olive oil and lemon, vegetable skewers are an equally healthy alternative and they take little time to prepare. Mushrooms, peppers, onions, zucchini and tomatoes – anything goes. Base your veggie choice on individual preference, combined with whatever’s growing locally at the time. Produce that hits store shelves within a day of being picked has a lot more to offer compared to food that has travelled hundreds or thousands of miles.

Speaking of produce, seasonal fruit tastes great on the barbecue, too, so take a pass on brownies and ice cream. Instead, grill apples, pineapples, bananas, peaches or mangoes, and toss in a smidgen of margarine, sugar and cinnamon for luscious flavour that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Last but not least, let’s talk about buns. No barbecue is complete without them! Just as meats and fresh produce vary on the nutrition front, all breads are not created equal. If you’re striving to keep your family’s consumption of artificial flavours, colours and preservatives low, read the labels before you buy. While many may disappoint you, one that won’t is WONDER+ SimplyFree. Not only is it free of the artificial extras you’re trying to avoid, it’s made from unbleached flour and has no high fructose corn syrup. Best of all, it has the irresistible fresh taste of white bread. In other words, it’s good for you without tasting… well… good for you. What a great way to round-off your healthy backyard feast!

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