Healthy BBQ Tips

It's summertime and you know what that means...BBQ time!!!  

I can't believe it's already summer!  Going to BBQ's used to be such a struggle for me because I was always trying to stay on track, watch what I ate and make sure I was feeling as bikini ready as possible by crash dieting before it was time to hit the beach.  Looking back I cringe...how miserable was that!?  

Summer, and BBQ's with friends, should be FUN!!  And that is exactly what this summertime has been so far!  

I no longer stress about "dieting" because I've changed my lifestyle to incorporate health into my daily routine...not just a month before an event!!  I believe in everything in moderation, I eat lots of yummy food and I even enjoy a few glasses of sangria with the girls, but I make sure to fill the majority of my plate with healthy options to make up for it!

As I go to more and more BBQ's, and even host some myself, I can't help but think...what are some tips I would have told "old Shana" to avoid the starving and guilt of splurging a little?  So I came up with my top tips for a healthy BBQ, and you'll be surprised just how simple they are!!

1 - Don't go hungry!  Eat a healthy snack before you go so you don't show up wanting to snack on everything in sight!

2 - Pick ONE...chips and dip OR a few drinks.  Then stick to it...and whichever you pick do it in moderation!!

3 - Skip the pasta salad and baked beans and eat the veggies and salad instead.  {Beware fatty, creamy dressings and croutons on that salad too!}

4 - Skip the dinner plate and go for the salad plate to portion out your food.  Bigger plates = taking more food than you need!

5 - Choose fruit for dessert!  Strawberries and a little Cool Whip are a healthier, easy option!

And my TOP TIP...

If you feel like there won't be any healthy options there for you...offer to bring a dish!  That way you know you'll have at least one thing that will fill you up and keep you feeling great!

What are YOUR top tips for a healthy BBQ?  Let me know in the comments below so I can add them to my arsenal!