Shopper’s Guide: Grillables
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Grill lean meats or meatless options.
For many, summer is synonymous with the sounds and mouth-watering smells of the backyard grill. In years gone by, “grill-masters” were often limited by the options available to them in the form of burgers, hot dogs, and brats. However, as our dietary interests and palates have expanded, so have the options of ready-to-grill options. As consumers have seen an explosion in choice regarding the use of different protein sources (meat options and meatless, grain-, bean-, and vegetable-based choices), the question remains—are these new foods any healthier for us?
The biggest health culprits when it comes to grillables are saturated fat and sodium. Some options have nearly a day’s worth of saturated fat and the equivalent of almost a quarter teaspoon of salt. Luckily, there are a variety of options available now. This makes choosing something that can allow you to enjoy a grilled sandwich, while sticking within your heathy eating guidelines, possible.
Helpful Hints. When you’re ready to grill, keep the following tips in mind.
- How you top it. Toppings can increase or decrease the “health quotient” of your grillable. Cheese and bacon will boost both the saturated fat and sodium content. Alternatively, extras such as greens, veggies, and avocado will boost the beneficial nutrients.
- DIY. Instead of using premade patties, consider making your own. Start with lean protein to shape your own. tick to the meat or meat alternative alone, or add veggies, grains, and beans. This also allows you to help control the portion size.
- Keep size in mind. Many of the meatless alternatives are much smaller than their counterparts. To ensure a satisfying meal, be sure to choose one with at least 11 grams of protein and round it out with extra veggies, some whole grains, and a serving of fruit.
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