Building a Healthy Plate at Your Summer Cookouts

Holiday and summer barbecues are here, and, for some of us, sticking to our healthy eating goals seems impossible. Considering there are celebrations throughout the entire year—weddings, birthdays, holidays, graduations and more—it’s important to know how to build healthy plates, not just at summer cookouts but any special event so your health goals don’t have to take a back seat.

Follow these tips for healthier eating.

• Eat a Balanced Breakfast in the Morning
  • Having a balanced breakfast, with a mix of protein and fiber, will help ensure you’re not showing up at the event starving and ready to eat everything in sight. Maintaining a routine of eating breakfast first will set you up for success the rest of the day!
• Bring the Color to the Party
  • You might get some flak from Uncle Steve for bringing a healthy side, but this is one of the easiest ways to ensure you’ll have some fiber and color on your plate at the party! A fruit or vegetable tray, or a delicious grilled vegetable, is a delicious addition to any event.
• Make a Plate
  • Rather than mindlessly grazing, make yourself an actual plate with the foods mentioned in the following two tips to keep yourself feeling full and satisfied.
• Include Protein, Fiber and Color on Your Plate
  • While these don’t need to be the only things on your plate, they should be included somewhere.
• Prioritize Fun Foods You Really Want
  • Parties often include a lot of foods you wouldn’t usually have, so prioritize fun foods that you truly love instead of loading up on foods that you know aren’t your favorites. You don’t have to try everything.
• Be Mindful of Portion Sizes
  • Lastly, keep portion sizes in mind when making your plate. With so many foods you wouldn’t normally eat, try small portions of a variety of foods. That way, you can enjoy your favorites without overdoing it.