(iStock)
Any gorgeous day is perfect for firing up the backyard grill. Here are some simple ways to make eating outdoors delicious and healthy.
Grilled fish
Grilling salmon takes as little as 4-5 minutes to cook, which is a big help when you are preparing a meal outdoors. Simple seasonings and fresh herbs are enough to give this versatile fish amazing flavor. Health-wise, salmon is an all-star - naturally low in calories, high in protein, and it is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote heart and brain health and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
Turkey Burgers
For a lighter burger, switch from regular ground beef to 95% lean ground turkey meat. Turkey’s milder flavor is an asset because it readily absorbs flavors, so go ahead and jazz up your patties with some fresh herbs and spices, such as cumin, coriander, garlic and chili powder.
Baked Sweet Potato Chips
You won’t miss fatty French fries once you whip up a batch of my crunchy and flavorful sweet potato chips. They look gorgeous for sure, plus they are packed with nutrients, including calcium, potassium and vitamins A and C. Sweet potatoes are also high in fiber (great for dieters) and a good source of the anti-stress mineral magnesium. So relax and enjoy my recipe for sweet potato chips.
Kale Chips
More proof that a snack chip can be good for you - kale chips are a tasty, low-calorie treat rich in vitamins A, C, and K, dietary fiber. Kale chips are easy to prepare: Trim, rinse and dry some kale leaves, coat very lightly with extra virgin olive oil and spread them out on a cookie sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for about 25 minutes, turning the sheet about midway. Remove when crispy and sprinkle with paprika and some chili powder.
Watermelon Water
For a delicately sweet and refreshing drink, sip a cool glass of watermelon water. Watermelon is an amazing thirst quencher of course, and what’s great is that it offers a healthy boost of antioxidants and the vitamins A, B and C. Try my watermelon mocktail recipe make with coconut raspberry water.
For delicious high fiber meal plans, recipes and tips on healthy eating, drinking and losing weight, check out my latest book, The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with Fiber
Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD, is a registered dietitian in New York City and the author of two bestselling diet books: The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with fiber and The F-Factor Diet. Subscribe to Tanya’s free weekly newsletter and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest,and LinkedIn
Stay up-to-date on the biggest health and wellness news with our weekly recap.