Fathers Day: Healthful Grill Tips

June is National Men’s Health Month, dedicated to enriching men’s health and wellness!

If you’re planning on celebrating Father’s Day with a cookout, we have some tips and recipes for you!

Grilling can be an excellent way to kick-start a healthy summer. Making a few adjustments to the typical fare of hamburgers, hot dogs, mayonnaise-soaked salads and potato chips, you can have delicious, healthy meals all summer. Consider these healthful tips for guiltless grilling.

Instead of processed hot dogs, choose affordable, leaner cuts of beef, chicken or pork

(Tip – Marinate leaner cuts of meat to help tenderize and add more flavor.)

  • Beef: Bottom round roast, Eye of round roast, Tri-tip roast, Flank steak, 95% lean ground beef
  • Poultry: Skinless chicken breasts, legs and thighs, ground turkey or chicken
  • Pork: Bone-in pork chops, pork tenderloin
  • Fish: Salmon and tuna can be cooked directly on the grill, or more tender fish, such as tilapia, sole, or catfish, put in aluminum foil packet with a spice rub or herbs and lemon, then on the grill.

Complement your meal with color

The most common barbecue side dishes are usually the same color, white or yellowish, such as coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, corn, etc. Try adding some color when choosing side dishes. This will make your spread look more festive and much more nutritious.

  • Make a salad: choose vegetables and fruits of different colors, such as spinach, carrots, red peppers, beets, cucumber, oranges, and strawberries.
  • Roasted/grilled vegetables: the natural sweetness and flavors that come from grilled vegetables are unmatched.
  • Drizzle with some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and your favorite seasonings, such as garlic powder, oregano, basil, etc.
  • Larger vegetables can be placed directly on the grill, such as asparagus, long strips of zucchini, sweet potato slices, beets, portabella mushrooms, and eggplant. Smaller vegetables can be put on skewers or in aluminum foil packet. Try green beans, bell pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, etc.
  • Place grilled vegetables on a bed of lettuce and drizzle with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a great grilled vegetable salad.

Use fresh, local ingredients for the best flavors

When choosing your fruits and vegetables, consult your local farmers’ market. The best tasting fruits and vegetables are usually the ones in season and picked fresh that day.

Be sure to use food safety while grilling out! You can Download the free Is My Food Safe App. This App provides tips and food temperatures for safely consuming different meats.

Check Out These Recipes Selected By Our Registered Dietitians

Grilled Pork Steak and Zucchini Couscous
Jalapeno Turkey Burger
Grilled Veggie Kabobs
Grilled Pork Chops with Salsa & Confetti Picnic Salad
Zesty Lime Grilled Chicken topped with Pineapple Jalapeno Salsa
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