With summer just around the corner, cookouts and outdoor gatherings are in full swing! Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or attending one, these simple tips will help you enjoy your time while making healthier choices without sacrificing flavor or fun.
Tip #1: Grill More Fruits & Veggies Most people don’t think about grilling fruits and veggies, but they make delicious, antioxidant-rich additions to any meal. Plus, 70% of people don’t consume enough vegetables—so why not use grilling as an opportunity to add more to your plate?
Grilled fruits caramelize beautifully, enhancing their natural sweetness, while grilled vegetables become tender and smoky. The trick is to cut them into uniform pieces for even cooking.
Bonus Tip: Make fruit or veggie kabobs to prevent smaller pieces from falling through the grill grates!
Best Fruits to Grill:
Best Veggies to Grill:
How to Grill Fruits & Veggies:
Tip #2: Don’t Arrive on an Empty Stomach It may seem logical to “save up” for a big barbecue, but skipping meals can lead to overeating later. Arriving hungry makes it harder to make balanced choices and often results in munching on the highest-calorie foods available.
Better strategy: Have a protein + fiber snack before heading out, such as:
Skipping meals often backfires because we justify it by thinking, “I didn’t eat all day, so I can eat whatever I want now.”Instead, fuel your body regularly for better energy and mindful eating choices.
Tip #3: Move Your Body Summer is the perfect time to get outside and be active! Instead of sitting around snacking all day, incorporate movement into your cookout:
Expert Tip: One of the best things you can do to manage blood sugar levels is to take a 5-10 minute walk after meals!
Tip #4: Stay Hydrated Between the heat and outdoor activities, dehydration can sneak up on you—especially if you’re enjoying alcoholic beverages. Alcohol dehydrates you faster, so it’s important to rotate between drinks.
Hydration tips:
Tip #5: Aim for Balance, Not Perfection Don’t let worries about calories or “falling off the wagon” keep you from enjoying summer gatherings. Nutrition is all about balance!
Tip #6: Use a Plate & Eat Seated It’s easy to lose track of how much you’re eating when you graze straight from a serving platter. Mindless eating while walking, talking, or cleaning up often leads to overconsumption.
Better strategy:
Enjoy Your Summer Cookouts! We hope these tips help you enjoy all the delicious flavors of summer while feeling your best. Here’s to a season full of good food, great company, and happy memories!
Happy grilling!
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I'm Dani, founder & CEO of Pivot Nutrition Coaching. I'm also a Registered Dietitian and Certified Sports Dietitian based out of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
I'm a busy toddler mom and former college athlete who gets it! Life is busy, and nutrition can be so confusing & overwhelming!
I'm here to SIMPLIFY nutrition and help you look & feel your best without giving up your favorite foods!
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