Escape the grilling rut with these 6 new health-inspired ideas

Summer days are filled with family picnics and convivial barbecues. Outdoor grilling allows you to prepare tasty and healthy meals while spending time with family and friends. But after months of grilling, you might be fed up with the same old barbecue chicken and burgers. Creativity and a willingness to try a new take on your favorite foods can be the answer to escaping the grilling rut. So, fire up the grill and try the following exciting foods that are sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Pizza no longer just for the oven. For a quick meal, use a pre-made crust and add your favorite toppings. Start with a sauce (tomato, pesto, barbecue, or olive oil) and top with low-fat cheese, lean meat, if you like, and lots of veggies. Place the pizza directly on the wire rack, close the lid and cover until the cheese melts.

Some interesting combinations are:

• Olive oil, fresh spinach, roasted onions, strawberries and feta cheese
• Barbecue sauce, cooked chicken, green peppers and pineapple chunks
• Tomato sauce, sliced ​​zucchini, roasted garlic, mushrooms and low fat mozzarella
• Pesto, marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers and feta cheese

quesadillas can also be done on a grill. Like pizza, the ingredients are endless… cheese, vegetables, beans, chicken or corn. Place a tortilla on the grill and layer the cheese and the other ingredients. Top with more cheese and a second tortilla. Grill both sides, turning carefully and press down while cheese melts. Remove from the grill, cut into quarters, add the salsa and enjoy.

Gate fruit can be a real summer treat. The heat of the grill caramelizes the natural sugars in the fruit, leaving a sweet and healthy dessert. Try grilling whole peeled bananas, halved peaches, plums or nectarines, pineapple slices and pear wedges. Add them to low-fat frozen yogurt for a guilt-free summer dessert or snack.

Corncob has a slightly smoky flavor when grilled. Soak the corn in the husk in cold water for 10-15 minutes. Transfer to a hot grill and cook 3 minutes, flip and cook 3 more minutes. Carefully remove the cobs and peel the corn. Return the husked corn to the grill for 5 minutes, turning frequently to get the grill marks. The corn will be so chewy and sweet… you may not need the butter and salt!

Summer vegetables like zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, peppers and green beans are delicious when grilled and provide a vitamin accompaniment to any meal. It is best to cut the vegetables into pieces or slices, spray them with olive oil and cook them in a metal grill basket. Add your favorite herbs or seasonings for extra flavor.

If you’re looking for healthy protein to grill, try white fish, chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, sirloin or flank steak. Avoid very marbled cuts of steak, like the New York Strip or the rib eye. a grill portabelle mushroom is the healthy cousin of the all-beef burger.

Dawn Davoli, Registered Dietitian is a frequent presenter of the Excela Health Mall Walkers program and also provides education through public speaking and the school-based program “Healthy habits”.