BBQ Chicken Chop Salad
Romaine, Rotisserie Chicken Breast, Black Beans, Corn, Green Onions, Celery, Tortilla Strips and is topped with Ranch Dressing and BBQ Drizzle
A Healthy Twist to Your Summer BBQs!
by Taylor Smith, CHOP5 Wellness Blogger
Who is excited that it’s finally summer?! I know I am! Like me, maybe you have been counting down the days until summer. Counting down the days until hot pool/beach outings, scenic adventures and barbeques! Speaking of summer barbeques, the 4th of July will be here before we know it. The 4th of July is known as America’s most popular BBQing holiday. It’s a day filled with delicious grilled food, family, friends, festivities and fireworks!
Enjoy Summer BBQs AND Delicious Food Without the Guilt!
Despite the fun, food-filled day that barbeques entail, many people tend to feel anxiety around days or holidays revolving around food. Maybe you have struggled with overeating or simply desire to eat healthy, balanced meals. Don’t fret—-consuming a healthy and balanced diet does NOT mean that you cannot enjoy summer barbeques! To help ease your anxiety going into barbeque season, I am here to give you healthy alternatives to your favorite barbeque foods!
Healthy BBQ Alternatives
Below is a list of some creative, delicious, lower calorie and more nutritious foods to make or bring to your next summer barbeque. Making healthy alternatives for your next BBQ, not only allows you to stay on track with your healthy lifestyle, but also spices up the fun!
Grilled Vegetable Skewers
- Recommended veggies: Grilled bell peppers (pick your favorite color!), onions, mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes (grape tomatoes)
- Optional: add protein like grilled chicken, tofu, steak, shrimp
Cowboy Caviar
- a.k.a Texas Caviar and it’s made with simple, healthy ingredients including beans, corn, bell pepper, avocado & tomato
- Click here for recipe!
- Click here for a different recipe!
- Use tortilla chips to scoop
Healthy Coleslaw
- Purple cabbage
- Carrots
- Cilantro or parsley
- Red onio
- Can add jalapeños if you’re feeling spicy!
- Either go light on the mayo or use a mayo alternative.
Healthier Burger Options
- Ground chicken burgers (click on this link for recipe!) (+ ADD in spinach & feta!)
- Salmon burger
- Turkey burger
- Ahi tuna burger
- Veggie burger
Healthier Hot Dogs
- Uncured Beef Hot Dogs
- Uncured Turkey Hot Dogs
CHOP5 Salads
CHOP5 delivers catered salads bursting with flavor! If you are near Columbus (Upper Arlington and Polaris) or Orlando, give us a call!
Kale Quinoa Chop Salad
Kale, Spring Mix, Quinoa, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Roma Tomatoes, Red Peppers, Shredded Carrots & Garbanzo Beans and is topped with our Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
Korean Chicken Chop Salad
Romaine, Napa Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Roasted Rotisserie Chicken, Corn, Edamame, Red Peppers, Carrots & Peanuts and is topped with our Spicy Thai dressing with Korean BBQ and Wasabi drizzles
These are just a few of the many clever, mouthwatering healthy alternatives to barbeque food! I hope these ideas inspire you to mix up your next summer barbeque/holiday—follow these recipes, look up more ideas, or put your own healthy spin on your favorite foods. Now you can stay on track, while not missing out on making new memories at the next BBQ.
