Fruit-infused Water
Juice can be very high in sugar and packed with additives; these downfalls counteract the hydrating and nutrient rich benefits of drinking juice. A great way to keep friends and family refreshed is by offering flavored waters instead of juice. By slicing up some of your favorite juices and placing them in water the night before your cookout, you will be able to offer a tasty, and zero calorie, beverage to your guests.
Lettuce Wraps
While carbs are not the worst thing we could be putting in our bodies, it is nice to have options avoid overeating them. A great alternative is to offer something like a whole-wheat tortilla wrap or lettuce hearts.
Grilled Veggies
A raw veggie platter isn't always a success, but when you take the extra step to grill and prepare the veggies, you may find your guests more compelled to get in their greens.
Bell pepper “fries” are a great example of this. Simply take bell peppers, feel free to pick a color or mix them all, and cut them into ¼ inch slices. Drizzle the slices with the oil of your choosing (olive oil or avocado oil work great!) and wrap them in aluminum foil. Place them on the grill for about ten minutes. Open the aluminum foil and serve. This side works as a deliciously healthy alternative to chips or French fries.
Leaner Meats
While juicy beef burgers and pork sausages are cookout classics, they aren't the easiest to digest and can be extremely high in cholesterol and fats. Save those for more indulgent days and choose lean meats like turkey and chicken. Chicken breast tastes lovely grilled and can be marinated and garnished with all kinds of seasonings and sauces to allow for variation.
