What would Memorial Day be without a traditional barbeque? The holiday weekend, which many view as the kickoff to summer, comes close to summer bathing suit season. Don’t despair, though; staying fit doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself. It’s completely possible to eat well at a BBQ and still stay in shape for summer. Here are my top four foods to avoid at this year’s BBQ to help you out a little along the way.
Potato Salad
Potato salads are a classic dish likely to be found at most Memorial Day BBQs. Although I must admit this is one of my favorites, if you’re looking to cut calories, opting out of this dish is a good idea. Although potatoes are really good for you — they are full of vitamins, can protect against cardiovascular disease, and aid in regulating digestion — if you’re looking to lose a few pounds, they may not be the best vegetable to have in your diet. Potatoes have more calories than any other vegetable. When made into potato salad, they are usually mixed together with generous amounts of fattening mayonnaise. According to Shape, one cup of potato salad can have about 460 calories.
Pitcher Drinks
Who can turn down a nice margarita pitcher at a Memorial Day BBQ? Unfortunately, if you’re counting calories, pitcher drinks are not the best idea. Take margaritas, for instance. A typical margarita is made with tequila and triple sec, both containing about 100 calories per shot! On average, a margarita has about 45 calories per ounce. A margarita glass containing between 8 to 16 oz. is nearly 720 calories in one serving. If you’re itching for an alcoholic drink, try opting for a light beer, which can have as little as 100 calories in one serving.
BBQ Ribs
BBQ ribs have a dangerously high fat-to-meat ratio. The exact calories in ribs vary based on whether or not they are made from pork or beef, but both are a bad idea for those trying to slim their waistline. "Pork or beef ribs are the fattiest part of the animal to eat," Sarah Kreiger, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association explained to Web MD. They also have a high amount of saturated fat. This type of fat can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and your risk of type 2 diabetes. Pork ribs are about 20 percent saturated fat, while beef baby back ribs are 32 percent. Livestrong reports that a half stack of ribs provides you with nearly all your daily intake of fat.
Cupcakes and Pie
What kind of Memorial Day BBQ would it be without a dessert table? The cakes and pies decorated with red, white, and blue sprinkles may be appealing to the eyes, but they can have a less desirable effect on your gut. From the buttery crusts in pies to the creamy icing on cakes, if you want to lose weight it's best to just stay away. Being on a diet doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed any sweets. It may be a better option to try a frozen fruit pop. They are low in calories but still able to satisfy your sugar cravings. Not to mention, they’re also really fun to make!