Want to entertain but don't want to feed your guests (and yourself!) unhealthy food? Use these healthy BBQ side dishes for your next holiday menu. You and your guests will love these easy side dishes for parties.
I grew up in Florida, so I also grew up grilling. And I've taken that grilling with me to the northeast—on warm summer days, I love pairing grilled tofu and polenta with yummy grilled veggies, as well as grilled peaches for dessert (drizzled with reduced balsamic vinegar, of course!).
The
weather has been so nice and sunny here in New Jersey lately that I've been waking up early to take walks with my fiancé. There's a reservoir near us with
a walking loop and an amazing view of the New York City skyline.
As the weather warms up, I know we're not all thinking about increased activity all the time. I mean,
Memorial Day is days away, so it would make sense to be thinking about BBQ menus and Memorial Day food ideas, too!
So you can have your BBQ celebration and feel good about it, I've put together this easy guide to healthy BBQ side dishes for your next gathering. Whether you're
hosting or attending—or simply cooking up a nice dinner at home—I've got all the makings of a nutritious
meal.
These healthy BBQ recipes would pair really well with a refreshing class of tropical green tea! Eating healthy at gatherings this summer will help you embrace what's most important about any holiday: the company.
Easy Side Dishes for Your Next BBQ
Do you love to entertain as much as I do? When I'm hosting a gathering, I spend weeks thinking of what appetizers, dishes, and drinks I'll serve and how I'll display everything. Whether you entertain guests just once in awhile or all year long, you likely want to make the get togethers memorable and healthy without breaking the bank. What do you want guests to notice the most?
A spread of colorful appetizers (like bite-size endive boats and a brie cheese appetizer) and a homemade condiments bar are good places to start. As a dietitian who loves to cook for friends, I have a few tips for creating great-tasting menus with a nutritious twist. Ready to take your soirée to the next level?
I recently chatted with KSL about my
favorite healthy BBQ side dishes. I shared one of my go-to summer salads for a BBQ that's so delicious it makes me smile. All these easy side dishes for
parties are pretty simple to whip up. If you want the kids to help in the kitchen, take a look at these fun and easy cooking projects for kids.
And don't forget about the condiments. Tired of ketchup and mustard? Think jarred jam is too sugary? Wow your guests with a delicious, homemade condiments bar at your next party. I share one of my favorite crowd-pleasing recipes in this WomensRunning.com post.
Anti-Inflammatory Recipes for Your Next BBQ
Many healthy dishes are anti-inflammatory by nature. But when you have a chronic condition such as arthritis or Celiac disease, it's smart to be extra diligent
about eating foods that will help keep inflammation in check. This is really the case for anyone, because lowering inflammation helps keep you healthy and helps lower your risk for disease. When
the folks at Aaptiv recently asked me for me top
anti-inflammatory easy BBQ sides, I realized that pretty much all the nutritious recipes on my site are filled with good-for-you,
inflammation-fighting ingredients! So I decided to share a couple of healthy BBQ sides that are super summery and easy to whip up.
Does your BBQ shopping list need a little help? Buying in bulk can save a lot of money. But with so many products for sale, you might have a tough time picking out the healthiest foods to feed a crowd. Lucky for you, my nutritionist pals share their top party-food picks in my article for ReadersDigest.com! Shopping for vino and wondering what wine has the least sugar?
Grilling yummy asparagus takes minutes. Try my Grilled Asparagus with Lemongrass Garlic Rub, and see what else you can make on a time (and carb) budget, in this MensFitness.com slideshow.
Amy's Recipe of the Week: Easy Brie Cheese Appetizer
I love to entertain, but I don't always want to spend hours and hours making food. So here is my go-to shortcut appetizer, one of my top healthy recipes for Memorial Day. I get guests asking for it again and again! If you want to serve it with the main spread, pair it with a salad—a piece of jam-topped brie will taste even more amazing on a bed of greens! Wondering how to make a healthy salad dressing? I've got you covered. Also check out these 18 additional healthy entertaining recipes.
Bonus Recipe of the Week: Avocado Deviled Eggs with Smoked Paprika
I love eggs—they're budget-friendly, easy to cook, and good for you. So go ahead and give this classic party recipe a healthy makeover! This tasty deviled eggs app is made with avocado for an extra boost of heart-healthy fat. Pair them with a tropical green tea sangria mocktail and perhaps homemade Mexican salsa with flatbread chips, and you're all set!
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I'd love your thoughts! What healthy BBQ side dishes do you love? Tag @amydgorin on Instagram and Pinterest and @amygorin on Twitter and Facebook.
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