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Summer is officially upon us, and with it comes all of those great cookouts! Who doesn’t love grilled dishes, music blasting and letting loose with your friends and family? Now, if you want to stay on your healthy lifestyle game this season, your attention may be focused on fatty meats and lots of carbs from bread and sides. But did you know there is another hidden culprit of weight gain at cookouts? Sugar!
Your body needs only 25 grams of added sugar a day. That is equivalent to roughly 6 teaspoons. That’s it! Your daily sugar count does not include sugars that occur naturally in foods like fruits or grains. Unfortunately, the added sweet stuff can curtail your weight loss goals since unused sugar turns into (you guessed it) fat.
Now, we hate to be the bearers of bad news, but what if we told you that you could surpass your total daily recommended amount of sugar before you even finish your first plate? Shocking, we know! But sugar is hiding in some of our cookout favs and you may not even know it. The sugar sorcery is real, but have no fear. Watch as we break down how to keep sugar low and your weight goals met.
Beverages
Let’s start with an old favorite. There’s nothing like a chilled can of soda on a hot summer day. But that one can of regular soda may contain up to 10 teaspoons of sugar! That exceeds your daily allowance by 4 teaspoons. Instead, try infusing water with fruit for a refreshing drink with no added sugar. Try adding oranges, lemons, strawberries or blueberries.
Don’t be afraid to try veggies or herbs either. Consider throwing in cucumber, mint or rosemary. Also, the longer you infuse with ingredients, the more potent the flavor will be. Try preparing your infused water a night or two before your cookout and make sure to store it in the refrigerator.
Condiments
Need a little something extra on that hamburger or hot dog? Ketchup is usually the first thing we reach for, right? Unfortunately, one serving of ketchup contains about 1 teaspoon of sugar. And who uses just that tiny (1 teaspoon) amount of ketchup? Another hamburger or adding some of your potatoes just increases your sugar intake more. This much sugar in just a condiment just doesn’t seem worth it.
Try using mustard instead. It has tons of flavor without all that added sugar. Also try adding seasoned and grilled tomatoes and onions to your burger for moisture and taste!
Side Dishes
Now it’s time for the sides! Imagine some delicious baked beans with your meal, all smoky and sweet. The problem is that many baked bean recipes usually call for quite a bit of sugar. One serving, about ½ a cup, may contain up to 3 teaspoons of sugar. That is half of your daily allotment of sugar! Make sure not to go for seconds on this side dish.
Why not try some savory black eyed peas? We are sure this yummy dish would still hit the spot. Make them smoky by adding smoked turkey and tons of spice. You get all the nutrients with beans without all that added sugar.
Meats
Now on to the main attraction. When the grilled ribs and chicken are done, it’s time to slather on that delicious barbecue sauce. Yum! But…one serving of barbecue sauce, which is 1 tablespoon, contains 1.5. teaspoons of sugar. Yikes! That’s ¼ of your total sugar for the whole day, just on the barbecue sauce. Have you ever considered making your own barbecue sauce? It’s a great option since you can control what ingredients go into your sauce, and specifically how much sugar.
Also, try using ingredients other than sugar to enhance the flavor of your sauce. Try honey instead of refined sugar, but watch the amount as your body still recognizes honey as sugar so it still counts towards daily added sugar. Apple cider vinegar gives a tangy flavor for those who love that flavor profile. Make your sauce spicy by adding hot peppers. Bonus points, hot peppers contain capsaicin, an ingredient that burns fat as you eat it. Winning!
Above all, we want to stress that we are not preaching total abstinence from sugar. That can be a nearly impossible task for almost anyone. We are, however, advocating that you be empowered by knowing what is in the food that you are eating. With that knowledge in hand, you can make much better choices over time. The sugar sorcery will not fool you! Until next time!
Check out one of our favorite recipes below.
THE BESTIES’ BANGIN’ BBQ SAUCE
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 large sweet yellow onion, diced finely
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- ½ cup of tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red chili flakes (optional, amount to taste)
- ½ cup of water
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoons raw honey or maple syrup
Heat oil in a pan. Add onion and cook on low for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring often. Add spices, cook an additional 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring often. Add the remainder of the ingredients to the pan, bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 1 hour. If sauce is too thick, add additional water to suit your desired consistency. Use as is or blend for a smoother consistency.
Dr. Gameli Dekayie-Amenu & Dr. Chantale Stephens-Archer are the co-founders of BestiesMD. As both best friends and physicians, they are committed to providing reliable women’s health education on a relatable and sisterly level.
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