Nothing screams summer more than a BBQ with family and friends. While the food is delicious, summer cookouts can be challenging since your typical favorite BBQ food, sauces, and marinades tend to have a good amount of calories, sugar, sodium, and fat.

So, this year lighten-up your summer cookout without giving up flavor. The following are 5 ways to elevate your grill game and eat healthy at your next BBQ.

1. Bring your own

In order to ensure there will be a healthy food options, offer to bring or make your own dish such as hummus with fresh vegetables, grilled vegetables or an interesting salad. Your host will also be appreciative of the gesture.

2. Sides

Avoid sides with mayonnaise such as cole slaw, macaroni salad, and potato salad. Choose green salads, pasta salad (without a mayonnaise or cream-based dressing), corn on the cob (watch the butter), fresh and grilled vegetables, brown rice, quinoa, and farro.

3. Protein

Keep away from the heavily processed meats such as hot dogs and sausages as they generally contain a lot of preservatives, additives, and sodium. Instead, choose the highest quality organic and grass-fed ground beef, turkey, and chicken that does not have antibiotics or additives.

Grilled seafood such as: shrimp, salmon and other shellfish also taste great on the grill and takes little time to prepare.

4. Dessert

Skip dessert if you can, but if you can’t choose a piece of dark chocolate or fruit such as refreshing watermelon. Homemade fruit bars, grilled peaches or pineapple are delicious healthy options.

5. Drinks

Opt for water or flavored sparkling water. However, if you are going to have an alcoholic beverage pass on the fancy cocktails as they are caloric and have a lot of sugar.

As you can see, with just a few minor changes and mindful food choices you can make your next summertime BBQ a healthy one. Enjoy!!