Healthy Grilling Can Help Reduce Belly Fat

Continued from The Belly-Busting Barbecue.

Can enjoy grilled food and lose belly fat at the same time? Yes, you can, and here is how:

Leave your buns at home Try to skip the bun altogether, but if you just have to have it, choose one made with whole grains and fiber.

Go fish “Salmon, halibut and mahimahi are great grilling choices since they’re thick, firm and easier to turn on the grill,” says Cheryl Forberg, a registered dietician. If you want a flakier fish, you will need a grilling basket.

Do not cry Onions get sweet and supple on the grill. To do them right, Cheryl says, “Slice onions crosswise, in 1/2-inch-thick rings. Hold the rings intact by inserting a toothpick in the side.”

Skip the mayo This is an easy way to avoid calories. “A tablespoon of Dijon mustard has 18 calories with no added fat,” says Cheryl. “While mayonnaise has 57 calories and 5 grams of fat.”

Sugar-free Ketchup has the same calories as mustard but is likely loaded with sugar. Look for brands that have no added sugar and are sweetened with fruit juice instead.