By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits
Summer is in full swing and it is time to break out the barbeque. Barbequing is a great way to add healthy foods to your diet and keep you kitchen clean and cool. You can grill up an entire meal that will taste amazing.
Here are a few yummy grilling ideas:
Fish is excellent on the grill. Make sure when you are buying fish that you are getting wild and not farm raised. Farm raised fish are pumped full of antibiotics and live in toxic conditions. If you ever saw a farm raised salmon before they prepare it for market…it would be grey in color (frightening!)
Some great choices for fish are:
Salmon
Mahi
Ono
Tilapia
Halibut
Trout
There are several ways you can prepare your fish for the grill. I like brushing a thin layer of olive oil and sprinkling herbs over the top. Squeeze a little fresh lemon and enjoy! Another great option is to soak a cedar plank for 24 hours and put the fish on the plank as you grill. The cedar flavor infuses the fish for a yummy flavor.
Of course grilling beef on the barbeque is always a popular choice. For healthy beef choices pick free range and organic meats. You will find these options starting to come into main stream grocery stores. A tasty beef alternative is buffalo which can also be found in common grocery stores these days.
Other grilling options are:
Lamb
Pork
Chicken
Shrimp
Lobster tails
Vegetables are another great option for grilling. Just brush with a little olive oil and throw on the grill. You can also brush with a little balsamic vinegar for a nice tangy taste.
Vegetables good for grilling:
Corn on the cob
Portabella mushrooms
Zucchini
Summer squash
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
Grilling is great for meals in the great outdoors…a lovely picnic at the beach or camping in the mountains. There is nothing like a summer barbeque to bring friends and families together.
Summer is my favorite time of year for fresh food. Top off your summer meal with some fresh fruit and you will have a great tasting and completely nutritional meal for your family.
