Updated April 29, 2015.

Who says barbeques are bad news for calorie counters? Unlike a field trip to a candy factory or a deep-fried-food festival, there are usually lots of good options to choose from at a backyard barbeque. And you can always bring your own guilt-free contributions! Read on for Hungry Girl tips...

Be Picky with Finger Food
Repeat after me: AVOID BITE-SIZED SNACKS. A potential problem with barbeques is that they revolve around food -- the party is even named after a style of cooking!


Pre-meal finger foods like chips & dip or cheese & crackers might be tempting, but the calories in those nibbles add up fast... especially since it's so easy to lose count of how much you've had. Do yourself a favor and save your appetite (and your calories!) for the main portion of the program. If you do want to indulge in a finger food or two, look for cut veggies with salsa and fresh fruit. And here's a tip that'll make it easier to avoid those starters: Eat a healthy breakfast (like these no-cook morning meals) and/or a light lunch (depending on the time of the event) before you hit up the BBQ. This way, you won’t make a beeline for the potato chips the second you arrive.

Your Best Bets
It’s totally possible to get in and out of a barbeque feeling satisfied but not stuffed. The barbeque grill itself is pretty diet friendly -- you get lots of smoky flavor without any additional calories. But you might run into trouble when it’s time to choose what to put on the BBQ! There are some amazing picks in the fridge/freezer aisles – I’m a fan of Hebrew National 97% Fat Free Beef Franks, Amy’s Texas Veggie Burgers, and Jennie-O All White Meat Turkey Burgers.

And you can’t go wrong with a grilled chicken breast or shrimp. (As the Aussies say, throw some shrimp on the barbie!) It’s also important to be smart about your buns -- try 100-calorie flat sandwich buns or small hamburger/hot dog buns. If the only available options are oversized, skip the top half of the bun, and enjoy your sandwich open-faced. Or wrap the whole thing up in a big piece of lettuce!

Bring a Dish
Want to be the most popular person at the party AND ensure you've got something smart to chew? Cook up a healthy recipe. Try this Slow-Cookin’ BBQ Chicken -- it’s delicious on a flat bun, over lettuce, or all by itself! And don’t shy away from bringing some food to throw on the grill -- skewers are the perfect thing to prepare at home and cook at the party. My Chicken Fajita Kebabs and Teriyaki Tofu Kebabs are always crowd pleasers.

Slim Down Your Sauces
Sauces can be surprisingly high in fat and calories. The last thing you want to do is eat 200 calories' worth of condiments when you could be eating a 200-calorie grilled-cheese sandwich. (Who says you can’t use a grill to grill up a cheese sandwich?) So be mindful of your toppings. The good news is that there are TONS of great-tasting sauces that won't break the calorie bank. When it comes to barbeque sauce, the key is to find one with less than 45 calories per 2-tbsp. serving. As for condiments to toss on your burger, hot dog, or chicken sandwich, stick with ketchup and mustard; avoid the fatty mayo!

Game Time
Barbeque bonus! There’s a good chance you’re in for some sunshine and outdoor events. Get the partygoers together for a game of volleyball, touch football, kickball, or even some old-fashioned tag. You’ll be avoiding the finger foods and getting in some exercise! Plus, hello, games are fun.

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