The BBQ offers a great opportunity for healthy eating. Here are some top tips towards healthy, nutritious, delicious barbecues.

Keep it lean

• Use lean mince in burgers & trim the visible fat from steaks. Lean red meat is a great source of iron which is important for boosting levels and for concentration.

Everyday superfoods

• Everyday superfoods, chicken and turkey breast fillets are naturally low in fat and salt and are a super healthy BBQ choice. It is a good idea to oven cook them first and immediately finish them off on the BBQ for added flavour. This will help ensure that they are cooked all the way through.

Top up calcium

• 1 in 4 Irish women and 1 in 3 children do not eat enough calcium which is vital for healthy teeth and bones. Add sliced cheese to summer burgers to top up calcium intakes.

5 a day

• Use the BBQ as a tasty alternative way to achieve your 5 a day. Make fruit kebabs by simply threading chunks of fruit (such as pineapple, mango, kiwi fruit or whatever combination you fancy) onto skewers before placing them on the BBQ.
• Top Tip: Soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes before placing on the bbq to prevent them burning.

Eat the rainbow

• ‘Eat the rainbow’ and serve a colourful salad with your BBQ. Don’t forget the more colours you eat as part of your 5 a day the more nutrients you get! Serve low fat salad dressings on the side.

Corn on the cob

• Sweetcorn cooked on the BBQ is another great way to achieve your 5 a day. Pre-boil it until just tender to keep it juicy and speed up cooking time on the BBQ. Place it directly on the BBQ and turn until charred on the outside.

Fuel fibre

• Jacket potatoes on the BBQ are an excellent way to increase fibre intakes. Serve burgers in wholegrain baps instead of white. Fibre is important for a healthy digestive system.