Summer holidays and beautiful weather can only mean celebrating in one way—barbecues! Having a BBQ and inviting your closest friends and family brings both good vibes and delicious food. From creamy potato salads to grilling tons of meats to enjoying desserts (either homemade or store-bought will do), BBQs offer an array of food you may not normally eat elsewhere.
However, if you’re not careful, your end-of-summer cookout may lead to unhealthy eating choices that can make you feel, well, not your best. We spoke with the experts to guide us on the eating mistakes we’re making at BBQs and how to correct them to have a healthy and fun time. Read on, and for more, don’t miss these 13 Non-basic Burger Recipes to Spice up Your Labor Day BBQ.
1
Showing up to the barbecue too hungry.
Don’t feel the need to skip breakfast just because you know you’re going to a cookout later in the day.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
“Never show up to a BBQ on an empty stomach,” says Caroline Susie, RD, LD, a registered dietitian, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “So many people want to ‘save up their calories’ for big food events, but in reality, this idea backfires as people tend to be so hungry that they overeat.”
Susie recommends having a high-protein snack before the event such as cottage cheese or Greek yogurt. This can prevent overeating by helping you feel more in control and make healthier choices.
