Tips from the food network!

So while I was searching for restaurants in Atlanta off of the food network's show Diners, drive-ins, and dive, I came across the article "Be a healthier summer host." The article was extremely interesting to me because it is about how to choose lower calories foods (more reliable than my earlier post about BBqs!) and also how to cook and assemble the meals while keeping abundant flavor! Here are the tips I would like to share with you:

Burgers

"Fatty cuts of meat are high in saturated fat and cholesterol (not so good for the old ticker). Leaner alternatives — 90 to 95 percent lean ground beef, chicken or turkey breast, bison and fish — make equally satisfying burgers. Jazz up lower-fat meats with herbs and spices, and add moisture to the patties with chopped onion and mushrooms or a tangy sauce.

If you love cheese and mayo, consider low-fat versions and opt for one, not both. Cheeseburger fans: Try topping your burger with a little bit of strong cheese for a burst of flavor without the high-calorie cost. Sliced avocado makes a creamy addition to a burger and offers less saturated fat and cholesterol than traditional mayo.

Then, don't forget to pile on the fresh vegetables like ripe tomatoes, onion, spinach, lettuce and cucumbers. Even with a smaller burger, you’ll still feel full with loads of fiber-rich veggies."

Grilling meats

"Poultry: Skinless, white-meat chicken or turkey; ground turkey breast
Beef: Flank steak, top loin, sirloin, porterhouse, T-bone steak and tenderloin; 90% lean ground beef
Pork: Pork chops or tenderloin
Lamb: Look for the word 'loin'"

The article further talks about how to lower calories in pasta salad by decreasing the mayonnaise and replacing it with lower portions of low fat mayonnaise or by adding oil. Also increase the vegetable ratio to pasta and opt for whole grain pasta which adds an increase of fiber. For dessert grill pineapples with cinnamon seasoning! I havn't tried cooking any of these options yet besides bonless skinless chicken but I'm just starting out! Goodluck and have a great cookout!