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Dieting & BBQs – Can You Eat At A BBQ & Still Lose Weight?

Once again the BBQ’s are popping up all over the Country, it’s that time of the year again. It’s a lovely evening with a clear blue sky and you decide to go out for a stroll and you can smell them in the air, it’s lovely, it’s become a big part of our socialising culture these days but spare a thought for those people who are dieting, what on earth do they eat whilst the rest of us tuck into burgers, bangers and the rest?

BBQ’s tend to serve the fattier types of meats such as burgers and sausages with loads and loads of bread, pasta and rice plus there’s always plenty of other food that you really shouldn’t eat whether you are dieting or not, oh and of course there’s generally alcohol is involved somewhere along the line as well! So what on earth do you eat if you are dieting?? Well don’t panic, all is not lost, you can still go to or have your own BBQ and enjoy yourself if you take on board these few tips on what to look for and what to avoid.

As mentioned earlier, some BBQ’s just do burgers and sausages, not the best option but if there’s nothing else to chose then simply have them without any bread. If you do this then you’re heading in the right direction, basically you’re doing a damage limitation job here! If you absolutely need to have some kind of bread, then try and choose wholemeal pitta if they have it. Look around and home in on the meats, especially if there is chicken or turkey or perhaps there might be some prawns or fish. These are the healthier options by far. The protein from the lean meat and fish will help to fill you up and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Protein helps to speed up your metabolism.

If you can, try to avoid the bread, pasta, rice and potato. These are carbohydrates that will give you a quick feeling of fullness but that feeling will wear off very quickly and you’ll be back at the table before you know it, picking on more food than you really need. Carbohydrates also slow down your metabolism. Stay away from the sauces, dressings and coleslaw aswell. If you have to use something, try balsamic vinegar, a squirt of lemon juice or enquire if the dressings are low fat and even if they are make sure you just have a little as most sauces and dressings are really high in calories.

If there are no healthy options on the table then the best piece of advice I can give you is to have a large glass of water half an hour before you eat, don’t pile your plate up, preferrably use a smaller plate so it looks fuller but you are still controlling your portion size, have small amounts, fill up on the salad and avoid the bread and potato come what may.

Below are a few healthy items I would cook at my BBQ – perhaps you could try them at yours.

1) Chicken/turkey, peppers, courgette, mushroom kebabs
2) Chicken/turkey tikka kebabs
3) Prawn, pepper and sweetcorn kebabs
4) Fine green beans wrapped in bacon
5) Fillet of chicken or steak wrapped in foil and a dollop of crème fraiche on top and below to stop it sticking to the foil and a squirt of lemon juice
6) Wholemeal pitta bread
7) Cajun chicken/turkey, basically chicken/turkey sprinkled with Indian spices.
8) Some kind of fish, salmon or haddock both of which cook nicely on BBQ’s
9) Side dishes would include standard salad, grapefruit and water melon salad, beetroot, and balsamic vinegar
10) Very lean mince home made burgers

I have worked in the health and nutrition industry for 7 years specialising in helping people to lose, gain or maintain their weight online. If you would like to know more about my 12 Week Online Weight Loss Bootcamp or personal coaching programme then please visit my ‘Lose Weight With Rachel’ page on this blog.