Five Heart Healthy Cookout Ideas

We know that summertime means warm weather. Warm weather means it’s time to haul the grill out and cook outside. Here are some ideas on how to have a healthier barbecue the next time you decide to grill out!

Choose Fish

Fish, like tuna and salmon, have great nutritional benefits! This is because fish has omega-3 fatty acids, which help to lower blood pressure and reduce your chance of heart attack or stroke. To include fish in your cookout, rub a filet with lemon juice and parsley or rosemary for enhanced flavor on the grill.

Beef Up Your Burger

When you’re grilling burgers, choose lean or extra lean beef and drain off the excess fat after cooking. You could also use ground turkey if you aren’t a fan of red meat. Your patty should also be about the size of a deck of cards (3 oz., which is the size of a serving of meat). If you add finely chopped green pepper, bell pepper, or onion to your beef, you can get two benefits in one by eating more vegetables, too!

Bake Fries

Instead of opting for frozen French fries, you can make a delicious option at home that is also healthier. Slice regular or sweet potatoes into sticks, lightly spray with olive oil cooking spray, pepper, and paprika, then bake on a cookie sheet for 40 minutes at 375 degrees.

Try Vegetable Kabobs

Load up kabob skewers with mushrooms, peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, or other veggies. Spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray, season to your liking, and grill until slightly blackened. These are great on their own or as a side to your grilled fish from above!

Grill Corn On The Cob

Instead of boiling corn on the cob, you can stick your corn on the grill with the rest of your food. To do this, leave the husks on, and grill for about 30 minutes over medium flame, rotating occasionally. Remove from the grill, let cool for about 5 minutes, remove husks, and enjoy!