Grilled Fruits and Vegetables Add Color, Nutrition and Flavor to Summer Dishes

fruit Summer is a great time to fire up the grill. But, as all grill masters know, it’s not all about the meat! Spice up any cookout by adding fruits and vegetables to the menu – and the grill!

Fruits and vegetables serve up a variety of vitamins and nutrients. Here are four ways to incorporate healthy foods into your bbq:

Try a Kabob – Throw a kabob of color onto the grill with marinated vegetables like red or yellow bell peppers, mushrooms, eggplant, cherry tomatoes and onions. Simply brush the vegetables with olive oil and your favorite spices and grill over medium heat, turning until marked and tender (about 12 to 15 minutes, and 8 to 10 minutes for cherry tomatoes and pre-boiled potatoes).
Give Portabellos Some Love – Whether you’re a vegetarian or an avid meat lover, a grilled, marinated Portobello burger is a tasty alternative. Marinate and grill mushrooms, gill sides up, over medium-low heat with the grill covered until they are marked and softened (about 15 minutes). Flip and grill until cooked through, being careful not to char the gills, (1 to 2 minutes).
Fire Up Fruit – For a flavorful dessert, try fruit kabobs with pineapple slices or peach halves. Grill on low heat until the fruit is hot and slightly golden. Serve them on top of low-fat frozen yogurt or angel food cake.
Grill Some Watermelon – Another tasty option – grilled watermelon! Since watermelon is primarily made up of water, when you put it on the grill some of the water evaporates, leaving an intense watermelon flavor. Grilling watermelon slices only takes about 30 seconds on each side.

As a final note for those of us trying to eat healthier this summer, try to choose lean cuts of beef, pork, chicken or fish for your meals. As you grill, keep raw meat and poultry (and raw meat juices) separate from ready-to-eat foods, including fruits and vegetables. This means using separate plates, cooking utensils and cutting boards.

To learn more about safe grilling and eating right all summer long, visit www.eatright.org and consult a registered dietitian nutritionist.

+ Find a registered dietitian in Hampton Roads.

+ Learn more about In Motion’s Nutrition and Weight Loss Programs!