Healthy Alternatives to Popular Barbecue Foods

Especially when grilled, sweet potatoes are a nutrient-rich side dish. They provide more fiber than regular potatoes, and also contain vitamin A and potassium.

Chicken veggie burgers — with the patties being a mixture of chicken and vegetables — contain less fat than regular chicken patties and fewer calories per serving, making them a suitable substitute for a chicken sandwich, especially for people who are watching their diet.

Hot dogs on the grill are summertime staples. But they contain high amounts of fat and sodium. If you have a hot dog craving but are looking for a slightly healthier option, you may want to pick up a package of chicken apple sausages. Though they have about the same or a little more sodium, they contain less fat and more protein.

As long as they are handled properly, tofu tastes much like chicken. Extra firm tofu is perfect for grilling.

Portobello mushrooms seem like the perfect substitute for beef patty burgers because of the mushrooms’ meaty texture. Unlike some beef or even veggie patties, portobellos mushrooms will not fall apart on the grill. A portobello mushroom burger — with the bun and other additions — has about 350 calories, 17 grams of fat, 15 grams of protein. It also contains some healthy ingredients such as potassium, calcium, and iron.