Summertime is synonymous with ice cream socials, sugar-y frozen drinks, and indulgent backyard barbecues filled with tempting foods that can wreak havoc on your healthy eating plans.
If you’re wondering how you transform these occasions into a healthy summer BBQ that won’t weigh you down, we’re here to help. You can still enjoy spending time with friends and family without packing on the pounds and we’ve put together these 4 simple tips you can use to transform your next summer barbecue into a fun, get-together that won’t leave you feeling stressed-out and over-stuffed!
Focus On Fun, Not Food
One of the keys to enjoying a healthy summer BBQ is to take the focus away from the food. Plan some fun, active all-ages games to enjoy like the classic Cornhole, Ladder Golf, Horseshoes, or Bocce, and if you’re short on space, set up a chalkboard on the deck and have an outdoor game of Pictionary!
Hydrate With Water
All those pretty summer drinks and frosty cool beers can be tough to turn down, especially when the thermometer is rising!
Make sure to hydrate with water, not juice, soda, or other calorie-filled beverages. Not only will drinking water help you feel better and stay full longer, but avoiding alcohol will reduce the chances that you’ll lose track of your food intake, since people tend to make poor food choices when they’re under the influence. It’s also important to realize that people who have had bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass may feel the effects of alcohol sooner than they did prior to their procedure.
Eat Before You Go
Leaving the house hungry is a recipe for diet disaster, making you much more likely to overeat once you’re faced with tables filled with sauce-covered meats, high-fat salads, and tempting desserts.
Fill up at home with a low-fat, high-protein snack like tuna-lettuce wraps, or a skinless chicken breast on top of a mixed greens salad. That way, once you arrive at the BBQ, you’ll find it easy to pass on all those calorie-filled foods!
Bring Your Own Food
If you’re worried that there won’t be any healthy summer BBQ foods available at your event, let the host know you’ll be bringing along a homemade low-fat salad or some lean meats and veggies to throw on the grill. Chances are good the host will appreciate that you’re willing to help out with the cost of the food, and you’ll know there will be healthy foods that you can enjoy.
By following these healthy summer BBQ tips, you’ll be able to enjoy spending time with your friends and family without worrying about sticking to your eating plan before, or after a weight loss surgery like LAP-BAND, gastric bypass or gastric sleeve. To learn more about eating well before and after bariatric surgery, contact My Destination Weightloss at 256-840-5547 today!
