A guest blog by Editor of Families Magazine – Janine Mergler is a secondary school teacher, mum and firm believer in tasty, wholesome foods for herself and her family.
Australia Day is just around the corner and there’s no better way to spend it than with family, friends and a barbeque in the backyard or local park. But with the rise of childhood obesity and the many risks that come with unhealthy eating, many people are concerned with the more traditional foods associated with Australia Day.
This Australia Day, ditch the fatty meats and the lollies and consider the following alternatives:
Leaner Meat Cuts
Choosing healthier alternatives doesn’t mean cutting out meat entirely! A good source of protein, there are plenty of ways to reduce the fat content in meat. For example, instead of serving thick pieces of steak with all the trimmings, take some time to cut off the fattier pieces. If you want a quick and easy lean meat fix, buy lean sausages, sizzle steaks (thin slices of steak) or skinless chicken legs from your local butcher or supermarket. Lamb cutlets are a staple for Australia Day barbeques and luckily they are one of the lightest cuts of meat. Australia Day means meat and by using leaner cuts, you can still have a delicious barbeque and ensure you’re serving up a healthy spread.
Wholegrain and ‘Brown’ Breads
When you think of sausage sizzle, the first thing that comes to mind is white bread. With little fibre and pumped with preservatives, white bread is definitely not one of the healthiest choices for bread. For a good piece of bread that comes with piece of mind, consider swapping the white bread for bakery fresh wholegrain or brown breads. Loaded with fibre and with no preservatives, these are the best types of bread to feed your hungry crowds and give them enough energy to play a bit of cricket.
Fresh Salads
It’s summer, which means fresh salads are in season! Instead of cheesy (and fatty) potato bake, salads are crisp, fresh and best of all, healthy! For a good salad, consider using a variety of lettuces and leaves and include lots of colour and crunch through tomato, beetroot, carrot and cucumber. If it needs more taste, consider using a low fat dressing or just drizzle some lemon juice over it. Include some lean steak or chicken in it to make a delicious and filling Australia Day meal. The best part about salad is that you can customise it to your liking!
In-Season Fruits
When it comes to dessert on Australia Day, the first thing that comes to mind is lamingtons, ice cream and pavlova. Unfortunately, these treats tend to be full of sugar and fat. For a better sweet Aussie treat, you can’t beat in-season Australian fruits. Filled with good fructose sugars, these fruits will keep you going through the hot Aussie heat. During summer, the in-season fruits include most berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries), cherries, grapes and most melons including water melon and rock melon. Cut up and toss these fruits into a bowl and add a drizzle of freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice and you have yourself a delicious and healthy Australia Day dessert.
By making some different choices and creating healthy alternatives, the annual Australia Day barbeque can still be delicious feast for the whole family
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