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| Alternative grilling options for the health conscious |
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| Written by Sara Pintilie, Contributor to The Shorthorn | ||||
| Tuesday, 09 June 2009 02:49 PM | ||||
Grill FavoritesUTA students tell The Shorthorn their grill favoritesWhat’s your favorite item on the grill and why? “Ribs. The meat is flaky and tender.” Biomedical engineering sophomore David Migl “Steak. It just has a better taste.” Aerospace engineering freshman Elisha Denham “Beef patties. That’s what you expect at a barbecue.” Electrical engineering junior Nabiha Yousuf — Dustin L. Dangli, The Shorthorn Scene editor Burgers Most people slap down some good ol’ ground beef. As tasty as it sounds, a patty of 75 percent lean ground has 195 calories. Go leaner with 95 percent lean patties with 140 calories and 4.5 fat grams a serving. A 64 gram turkey burger patty has 181 calories.Or go vegetarian, Boca meatless burger’s original patties have only 100 calories and one fat gram. Vegan friendly Gardenburger’s Veggie Medley contains 90 calories and 2.5 fat grams. It may taste different but for the caloric intake of a meatless burger the sacrifice can help mold a six pack. Hot Dogs/Sausages What’s a tailgate picnic without a hotdog or two? At 40 calories and 0.5 fat grams per serving, a second helping of an Oscar Mayer 98 percent fat-free wiener isn’t a bad thing, but stay away from that second helping of other sausages. Johnsonville Original Bratwurst and Italian Links pack 270 calories and 22 fat grams per serving. BBQ TipsThe Shorthorn has some helpful tips to make sure your summer cookouts are done right.Be Prepared It sounds simple but planning ahead can prevent headaches down the road. If you plan to barbecue at a park, scout out the area in advance. Find trash cans and pack accordingly. If you’re hosting in your backyard, it’s easier to grab ice and other items from the house but if you’re out make sure you have everything in advance. Be Adventurous Research new recipes you’d like to try on the grill. Sure things can turn out bad but it never hurts to try dishes outside the usual burgers and hotdogs. Experimenting also can make you the go-to chef in future parties. Be the Boss The saying “two heads are better than one,” seldom works in the kitchen. Limiting the number of chefs can ensure food tastes consistent and there’s less chance for it to be ruined. Aerospace engineering freshman Elisha Denham said having numerous people on the grill could lead to clashes. “It’s a lot like backseat driving with other people,” Denham said. Be Active Cookouts aren’t all about the food. The atmosphere is just as important. Make sure to have activities whether in the form of sport or conversation. Asking people to bring a variety of balls to any park can make nice cookouts into a great social party. Aerospace engineering junior Daniel Paramo said music is a must and suggests salsa for a nice day outside. — Dustin L. Dangli, The Shorthorn Scene editor Whole grain always make a meal healthier. Whole Grain or reduced calorie buns can cut about 30 calories compared to 120-calorie white buns. To go healthy, it needs to be whole grain. Wheat on the package doesn’t always mean lean, make sure to check the labels. Or skip the bread altogether. Beverages Sodas are cookout staples but are also full of empty calories. Tea and juices instead of Coca-Cola lighten the caloric load. Sweet tea makes a good alternative to 2-liter sodas. Go even healthier with 100 percent natural juices. Stay away from artificial flavors with large sugar amounts. Or better yet, drink water. No calories, no problem. Chips Skip out on greasy, thin potato chips and grab the light or baked versions. Lays Classic potato chips pack 150 calories a serving, while its baked counterpart only has 120 calories a serving. The light version of Lays Original potato chip has 75 calories per serving. Try tortilla chips with salsa as a pre-meal snack and after-meal chaser. Or go completely healthy and substitute chips with carrot sticks or corn. Grilled corn with cayenne pepper adds a Southwestern flavor to a meal. Other sides Veggies always win when it comes to healthy eating. Corn, carrots and salads with a light dressing make a great alternative to greasy foods. Mixed vegetables wrapped in tinfoil and placed on the grill provide flavors not experienced with chips. Even if veggie-phobes dress up their sides with cheese or ranch to make it go down easier, the side is still better for the body than chips or fries. Beer There’s a valid reason underneath the term “beer belly.” Stick to light beers if you don’t mind the taste. Or just stick to one while cooking, drink water with the meal and another cold one with the guys as the grill cools. Moderation is a good thing. Dessert Unless you’re nine, dessert doesn’t really have that much weight. Skipping dessert won’t kill the meal. And that nasty guilt seems to disappear when you opt out. But if you must, watermelon is a great summer treat. Some sherbet flavors taste better than ice cream and are healthier too. Or choose a reduced-calorie version of your favorite flavor. SOURCES: http://www.thecaloriecounter.com/ http://www2.kelloggs.com/ServeImage.aspx?BID=42867&MD5=1c6d28a836da019b3f0b76a1e9eff4ea http://www.fritolay.com/ http://www.johnsonville.com/home.html http://www.bocaburger.com/ ContributeFeel free to comment below with your own tips and favorite items to grill.Views: 1440 | E-mail
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 31 August 2009 01:48 PM ) | ||||
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