Cookouts, what a great way to enjoy family and friends whether on the beach or in your own backyard.  However, as a bariatric patient, you need to be prepared!  Are there going to be appropriate foods and beverages for you?  How will you manage alcohol offerings?  Are you storing food properly that can spoil in the hot weather such as meats and salads with mayonnaise (an important question for everyone)?

If the cookout is at your house those concerns can be minimal.  If it is not at your house, can you inquire what foods will be served?  Can you bring a “safe” food or several safe foods (foods that you know you can tolerate and that  fit into your food plan).

Below are a few healthy options for either at home cookouts or to grill beforehand and to take along. (From Best Fork Forward – Everyday Dinners After Weight Loss Surgery, by Steph Wagner, MS, RDN)

Perfect Grill Asparagus

1 lb. asparagus- tough ends removed

1 tsp. olive oil

1 tsp. each salt and pepper

1 tsp. grill seasoning of your choice

1. Heat outdoor grill.
2. Toss all ingredients together.
3. Lay asparagus on top rack of the grill and shut the lid.
4. Grill for 10 minutes.

Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 cup low-fat honey mustard dressing or honey mustard (mustard not dressing)

1. Marinate chicken in honey mustard for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat outdoor grill or indoor grill pan.
3. Place chicken on grill. Using a pastry brush, baste the honey mustard on the chicken. Flip every 5 minutes and baste each time.
4. Continue cooking for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees.