The summer BBQ is a tradition for warm weather gatherings. For those of us working on our healthy living goals, walking in to a picnic table filled with food can seem like a challenge – but CalorieKing members are the masters of planning ahead so we can meet our goals.

We thought it was time to share our healthy choices with you!

Meat:

Choose:

8 oz. of lean T-Bone Steak, no salt (grilled weight yields 4 oz. lean meat):

Cal: 270   Fat: 12g    Sodium: 80mg

Avoid:

6 oz. of Pork Spare Ribs (from 1 lb. raw weight), including honey BBQ marinade:

Cal: 480   Fat: 52g  Sodium: 980mg

Save:

Cal: 410   Fat: 40g   Sodium: 900mg

Tips:

Hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages all have very similar calorie counts when looking at comparable serving sizes. The big difference?  The sodium. Hot dogs and sausages can have up to 780mg of sodium – even if the serving size is smaller than a hamburger. The sodium can make you so thirsty, you eat and drink more than you’d like!

The best choice for a BBQ? Kebabs! With a light marinade and a combination of meat and veggies you are sure to get a better mix to fill you up.

Chicken:

Choose:

3 oz. chicken breast, no skin:

Cal: 110   Fat: 3g   Carbs: 0  Sodium: 60mg

Avoid:

6 chicken wings, meat and skin and honey BBQ  marinade:

Cal: 440   Fat: 22g   Carbs: 44g   Sodium: 1320mg

Save:

Cal: 330   Fat: 19g   Carbs: 44   Sodium: 1260mg

Tips:

With chicken, remember the skin and marinades can be your downfall – even if your serving is a tiny little chicken wing. Skin and heavy, salty marinades can pack a punch.  Again, we love kebabs for a healthy choice!

Sides

Choose:

1 medium corn on the cob (no salt or butter)

Cal: 60   Fat: 1g   Carbs: 2g  Sodium: 0mg

Avoid:

1 cup pasta salad

Cal: 394   Fat: 22g   Carbs: 2g   Sodium: 580mg

Save:

Cal: 334   Fat: 21g   Carbs: 0g   Sodium: 580mg

Tips:

You won’t be surprised by the amount of calories and fat you’ll find in sides prepared with mayonnaise or butter. As for sodium? Potato salad and baked beans have loads of hidden sodium. Anything that is pre-packaged could have loads of it so check your labels.

Our best choice for a BBQ side? A simple vegetable salad, with a dressing on the side only adds up to 20 calories per cup. Not bad!

Snacks and Chips:

Choose:

Raw Vegetables (four strips of carrots, three broccoli florets)

Cal: 28   Fat: 0g   Carbs: 6g   Sodium: 0mg

Avoid:

1 oz. Nacho Cheese Doritos (approx. 12-13 chips)

Cal: 150   Fat: 8g   Carbs: 17g   Sodium: 180mg

Save:

Cal: 122   Fat: 8g   Carbs: 11g   Sodium: 180mg

Tips:

Amazing how much the calories and sodium can add up before you even eat your dinner! Just bear in mind that corn and potato chips are loaded with fat and salt – head for the veggie platter every time!

Salsas and Dips:

Choose:

1/4 cup tomato salsa, from a jar

Cal: 20   Fat: 0g   Carbs: 4g   Sodium: 400mg

Avoid:

1/4 cup creamy ranch

Cal: 120   Fat: 10g   Carbs: 6g   Sodium 380mg

Save:

Cal: 100   Fat: 10g   Carbs: 2g

Tips:

While you can save calories by choosing a vegetable based dip such as salsa, guacamole or hummus be aware you’ll find a fair amount of sodium in these pre-prepared options. When you can, make your own dips and you can control the amount of salt. And of course, limit your creamy choices which can be higher in fats.

Sodas:

Choose:

12 fl. oz. Diet Soda

Cal: 1   Carbs: 0g   Sodium: 50mg

Avoid:

8.5 fl.oz. Energy Drink

Cal: 113   Carbs: 28g   Sodium: 200mg

Save:

Cal: 112   Carbs: 28g   Sodium: 150mg

Tips:

Surprised to see sodium in your soda? Remember to read those labels! Is the cooler full of soda bottles? Check the serving size; the calorie count generally is for one serving but bottles often contain two! In this case notice the energy drink has a smaller serving size, but still costs you more in calories, carbs and sodium!

The best choice for quenching your thirst? Water! If ice water isn’t your thing, try adding a slice of fresh fruit to flavor it as you sip.  Another good option is fruit juice – it is slightly less calories plus far less chemicals and additives.

Alcohol:

Choose:

12 fl. oz. Light Beer

Cal: 105  Carbs: 6g   Sodium: 10mg

Avoid:

3.3 fl. oz. glass Margarita

Cal: 153   Carbs: 7g   Sodium: 580mg

Save:

Cal: 50   Carbs: 1g   Sodium: 570mg

Tips:

We know you love those margaritas – just watch the salt and alcohol content which can be extremely high for their smaller serving size compared to other alcohol choices. If you choose to have a margarita – ask for it on the rocks with no salt.

If do indulge in alcohol, remember it can lessen our inhibitions and often our careful planning for healthy eating gets forgotten.  Plus, remember alcohol is a higher calorie choice with little nutritional value – meaning they are empty calories.  If you want to indulge, space out your drinking and go slow. Drink a glass of water for every glass of alcohol you have.

Most of all, remember to have a designated driver or call a taxi for a responsible ride home.

Desserts:

Choose:

10 oz. wedge watermelon

Cal: 86   Fat: 0g   Carbs: 22g   Sodium: 0mg

Avoid:

1 plain piece cheesecake (1/6 of whole cake)

Cal: 257   Fat: 18g   Carbs: 20g   Sodium: 170mg

Save:

Cal: 171   Fat: 18g   Sodium: 170mg

Tips:

Sure, brownies, ice cream and those Jell-O desserts are delicious! Try just having a taste, but filling up on the best of what summer has to offer: fruit! Watermelon is a BBQ classic and many fruits are excellent when placed on the grill!  Don’t let the freshness of the season pass you by!