"Barbecue" ingredients are carefully selected, the meat is tender and flavorful, and it's enjoyed by grilling it oneself, accompanied by fine wine, creating a unique experience. It is said to be a traditional food of the ancient northern nomadic peoples, once known as "tent food." It also became a delicacy in the imperial court, gaining a place of honor. Today, barbecue is still loved by many, but it is high in calories, and eating too much can lead to weight gain, putting those on a diet in a dilemma. Therefore, we must master healthy ways to eat barbecue.
1. Pair it with a large amount of vegetables.
Before grilling, barbecue restaurants often offer complimentary side dishes like spicy cabbage and seaweed; be sure to eat them. If you want to order additional sides, try to choose fruit and vegetable options.
During the meal, the restaurant usually provides lettuce for wrapping the meat. This is the most important part of eating barbecue, so be sure to eat plenty of lettuce. Although many people enjoy dipping the meat in barbecue sauce, it is recommended to use the "lettuce wrap meat" method! If there isn't enough lettuce, the restaurant will also have a vegetable platter specifically for this purpose.
2. Don't drink alcohol.
In addition to meat, drinking alcohol is the second leading cause of weight gain during a barbecue. Be sure to refuse beer and sweet cocktails.
3. Eat more antioxidant-rich foods.
The grilling process can easily produce carcinogens. Pair your meal with foods rich in antioxidant nutrients, such as vegetables high in vitamins C and A. You can use green peppers, carrots, and onions as ingredients on the skewers. For marinating, you can also use large amounts of seasonings like scallions, garlic, and ginger. Additionally, mushrooms like shiitake and button mushrooms are a good choice.
4. Beware of the "sweet trap" and don't add honey.
To add flavor, many people love to brush honey on their barbecue, but they might not realize that one tablespoon of honey contains 65 calories, significantly increasing calorie intake! If you want to enhance the flavor while staying healthy, nutritionists suggest using less honey and opting for natural seasonings like black pepper or mustard to add a wilder taste to the food.
5. For a staple food, choose rice over noodles.
Many people don't eat a staple food when having barbecue, which is not conducive to a balanced diet. It's best to choose a staple food. From a weight-loss perspective, ramen is high in calories, so pairing your meal with rice or soup is the best option.
6. Strictly control dessert.
After the barbecue, the restaurant will typically offer you some fruit, dessert, or ice cream. For those on a diet, it's best to stay away from desserts! It's best not to have any at all. You can, however, eat plenty of fruit.
7. Make good use of aluminum foil.
Laying a layer of aluminum foil on the grill rack can prevent carcinogens from coming into direct contact with the food. You can also wrap the food in aluminum foil before grilling it.