A Better Barbeque

Summer is my absolute favorite time of year. The sun is shining, the pool is open, and friends and family get together on evenings and weekends for cold drinks and good, grilled food. Yummm.... just thinking about all those tasty Barbecues goodies makes me drool all over the keyboard.

But for those of us who are counting calories, a weekend family barbecue can often ruin a hard week of dieting. How can you enjoy those grilling gatherings with friends and family, without ruining your diet?

The good news is that there are many tasty low calorie options out there. To start off with, when you're shopping for your barbecue, stay clear of the chips aisle. Instead of putting out bowls of chips and dip for yourself and your guests, why not cut up some fresh veggies? Pair these with a homemade, low calorie dip for extra flavor.

When it comes to the main course, instead of the typical (and calorie filled!!!) hot dogs, sausages and burgers, why not impress your guests with some exotic skewers? Alternate pieces of chicken or shrimp with chunks of -peppers, onions or even pieces of fresh fruit. One of my favorite exotic skewer combinations is shrimp, jalapenos and plums (You can find a complete recipe here).

If your guests prefer more traditional barbecue fair, like burgers and hot dogs, you can still accommodate them without worrying about calories. Instead of buying traditional red meat hamburgers, why not try turkey or fish burgers instead? These meats are much leaner and lower in calories.

Finally, when it comes to desert, stay clear of ice cream and Popsicles. Try fresh fruit, or low sugar sorbets.

All of these suggestions will help keep your guests happy, and your waist slim!