Grilled Vegetable Salads
There are several reasons that grilled vegetable salads are a great option for weight loss and staying healthy throughout BBQ season. Dr. Tesfu starts out by saying that this side dish is particularly low in calories.
"Grilled vegetables are generally low in calories compared to other BBQ side dishes like potato salad or coleslaw. They provide a satisfying and flavorful option without adding excessive calories," she states.
"Vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied. This can contribute to better portion control and reduced calorie intake. They are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, they offer a wide range of nutrients that are important for overall health, including weight management," she shares. Vegetables are always a great choice for collecting nutrients and essential vitamins and minerals, and that doesn't change even if consumed during a BBQ outing, so it's definitely a smart choice to continue with your veggie intake during BBQ season.
It's also worth noting that because vegetables don't need to be cooked for so long or in a lot of unhealthy oils, it's the perfect side dish to go with BBQ main dishes. As Dr. Tesfu mentions, "grilling vegetables requires minimal added fats or oils, making it a healthier cooking method compared to frying or sautéing. This helps keep the calorie content lower."
The key takeaways so far are that grilled vegetables as a side dish will still provide us with fiber, nutrients, fewer calories, and reduced fat and oils.
Nutritional Components
Dr. Tesfu highlights that the key components of grilled vegetable salads are that they can offer us fiber and antioxidants. "Vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and asparagus are high in fiber, which aids digestion and helps regulate appetite. Vegetables are rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C, which can help protect against cell damage and inflammation," she notes.
These types of vegetables mentioned are always popular during BBQ season and go really well with main dishes, so make sure to incorporate them as they can help balance out a nice BBQ meal.
Grilled Vegetable Salad Tips
There are numerous ways you can cook a grilled veggie salad that's loaded with nutrients and flavor. With the numerous colorful and fun vegetables available, we asked Dr. Tesfu how she would recommend incorporating this side dish into a balanced, healthy diet that's perfect for weight loss.
"Use a colorful assortment of vegetables to maximize the nutritional benefits and add visual appeal to your salad. Include a mix of different vegetables like peppers, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, and onions. Opt for a light dressing or vinaigrette made with healthy oils like olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice," she says. However, she reminds us to be mindful of our portion sizes with other components of our meal to avoid excess calories.
She also gives us a helpful tip that includes combining our grilled veggies with lean protein. "To make it a well-rounded meal, consider adding a lean protein source like grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp to your salad. This will provide satiety and help maintain muscle mass during weight loss."
The Bottom Line
As with everything, balance is essential in our journey towards weight loss. You can still enjoy BBQ time, eat your favorite foods, and spend time with your family and friends without having to worry or feel guilty about the foods you're eating. Just remember to control your portion size while opting for healthy vegetables as side dishes, and you'll be all set for BBQ fun!