Clean Cheats + Tips to Enjoy Your Transformation-Friendly BBQ

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Do you guys hear that? The sound of kids in the pool and burgers sizzling on the grill! After what felt like an extra long winter, it’s time for this mama bear to come out of hibernation and spring right into summer just in time for the unofficial kick off of summer: Memorial Day Weekend.

There’s no better way to celebrate summer than with people you love and a delicious spread. It just screams “S-U-M-M-E-R,” right? One thing you’ll learn in the world of transformation is that not all things are created equal. Nope. And BBQ (or any food, for that matter) is one of those things. But before you feel bummed out, remember, it’s all about moderation, and healthy doesn’t equal bland and boring. Not. At. All.

Before I jump into my favorite tips and recipes to guide you, here are some stats to consider when it comes to how Americans indulge at their Memorial Day BBQs:

59% of Americans plan to BBQ during Memorial Day Weekend (2nd only to Fourth of July).
87% of those BBQs include burgers (steak coming in a close second).
818 hot dogs are consumed every second from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That’s a heck of a lot of hot dogs!
It’s the 2nd largest day for beer sales.

Needless to say, we love our BBQs, and we love our meats.

But here’s the thing: For every not-so-transform-friendly option, there is a just as tasty option out there. It’s a win-win.

With these top tips I’m about to drop, you’ll enjoy everything about a good old fashioned BBQ and remain on track. Ok, let’s get cooking.

Clean Cheat + Healthy Eats: Top BBQ Swaps

Opt for this Spinach Artichoke Dip instead of those heavy 7 layer dips (click here for my favorite BBQ side dish recipes).
Marinate your meats + skip those pre-made spice packs and use these top spices or check out this great burger spice recipe.
Go lean on your burger + swap fries for a baked potato or sweet potato fries (click here for a turkey burger + sweet potato fry recipe your family will LOVE).
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate (Bonus: Enjoy this great mocktail to stay hydrated and feel fancy too).
Skip the processed sugar and go for fruits. We love these fruit pops for dessert (another great way to stay hydrated) or this berry delicious Acai bowl.
Final tip: Never forget to have some fun! Everything in moderation (except for fun, that is, because fun should always be had), so let yourself enjoy some cheats and relax into the day!