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featured dining guide story Advertorial Feature Special to NorthweSt arkaNSaS Democrat-Gazette 42 What's up! june 5-11, 2022 Make your backyard barbecue healthy and fun S ummer barbecue season has arrived, and for many, perhaps nothing evokes the spirit of summer more effectively than grilled foods. Although grilling is a beloved tradition, it's not necessarily the healthiest way to eat. Traditional backyard barbecue fare like hot dogs and hamburgers likely won't make physicians' hearts flutter, but there are ways to enjoy the flavor of grilling without compromising a nutritious diet. · Replace burgers and hot dogs with healthy proteins. The occasional hamburger or hot dog won't do much damage, but people who regularly grill should skip these summertime staples and replace them with healthy proteins. The American Heart Association reports that fish and skinless chicken breasts are healthy alternatives to hamburgers and hot dogs. Burger devotees can still enjoy their go-to grilled food, but replace ground beef with lean ground poultry, which contains less saturated fat than red meat. · Avoid overdoing it. Most people have overindulged at a backyard barbecue at one point or another. The relaxed, party-like atmosphere of the backyard barbecue makes it easy to snack on chips and other unhealthy fare before moving on to burgers and hot dogs. Hosts can do guests a favor by replacing snacks and sides like chips and potato salad with healthier fare like celery, fruit salad or chickpea salad. Keep portions of grilled fare as close to a healthy size as possible. The AHA notes that a healthy portion of meat is around three ounces and no more than six ounces. · Create a salt-free rub. There's no denying salt makes food more flavorful. But that flavor comes at a high cost. Health care experts note that excessive amounts of salt can contribute to inflammation from fluid retention and increase a person's risk for hypertension, or high blood pressure. Salt may be a go-to for many grilling enthusiasts, but it doesn't have to be. A salt-free rub made with chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, and/or other spices is an effective and salt-free way to add flavor to meat, chicken and fish.