| Does enjoying cookout season have to mean saying | | | | patty or even a grilled chicken thigh with the skin on. |
| goodbye to your diet this summer? Not any more. | | | | Toppings matter too, as do the buns. Skip the bacon, |
| Now you can have your burger and eat it too. Just | | | | mayonnaise, fried onion, and full-fat cheese toppings in |
| follow some smart tips; and you could enjoy cookout | | | | favor of the healthier tomato, lettuce, onion, salsa, |
| food without ruining your diet completely. | | | | mustard, and reduced fat cheese and serve on the |
| Here is an example of what a smart choice could | | | | whole grain bun. |
| save you – Jane picks a half-pound hamburger with | | | | The side dishes make a difference too. Heap your |
| potato salad, while Linda chooses a quarter-pound | | | | plate with a fresh vegetable or fruit salad instead of |
| sirloin burger on a whole grain bun and fresh fruit salad. | | | | chips and you could save about 120 calories. Pass the |
| Guess what – Linda saves 500 calories! And that, | | | | potato salad and add a serving of vegetarian baked |
| as we all know, is a lot of calories to save in one single | | | | beans, and you could bypass 50-60 calories. Eat all the |
| meal. | | | | carrot sticks and celery that you want. Remember, |
| As Linda's choice indicates, it's not just the meat you | | | | celery, when eaten raw, actually takes more calories |
| pick that counts, but the portion size as well. So pick a | | | | to chew and swallow than it adds to your body. |
| quarter-pound burger instead of a half- or third-pounder | | | | And we're not done yet. Choose unsweetened iced |
| or a regular sized light hot dog in place of an oversized | | | | tea instead of the sweetened lemonade, and you |
| sausage frank or link. Give up the 8- to 12- ounce | | | | could skip 100 calories. For dessert, opt for fresh |
| steak in favor of the 4-ounce lean steak. | | | | berries, melons, or whatever other fresh fruit might be |
| For every meat on the menu, there's a slimmer, | | | | available. Avoid cakes, cookies, pies, and ice-creams. |
| healthier choice. Take sirloin or extra-lean beef instead | | | | Avoid empty calories at all costs. Say a firm "No" to |
| of regular beef. If it's a steak you're eating, go for the | | | | regular soda and alcoholic beverages. |
| lean cut. Avoid Polish sausage links, hot links, smoked | | | | Remember, it's possible to enjoy the season without |
| sausages or bratwursts and go for the reduced-fat | | | | having to worry about the extra pounds later. It's all |
| sausage link instead. Grilled, skinless chicken breast or | | | | about the choices you make! |
| thigh is preferable to the breaded or fried chicken | | | | |