Diabetic Bar-B-Que:
Do's And Don'ts
For Your Diabetic Health

A diabetic bar-b-que does not have to be a long-forgotten moment in the rest of your life. It is actually possible to enjoy some of the summer's festivities and still retain your diabetic health.

Bar-B-Que Season Do's and Don'ts

Try some of these quick tips to help you enjoy the festivities just like everyone else, but still keep some semblance of control on your blood sugars even after your diabetic bar-b-que meal.

• the BBQ Sauce itself is a minefield for most dressed up meats and bean pots. Most seasoning sauces are ketchup - based which is an over-abundance of sugar, salt and lots of carbs. Try a thinner sauce instead of the thick based sauces to cut the percentages up to 1/2.

• Check the finished meat and if the crusty outside layer looks bright and shiny, you know this was a sugar glazed sauce. Find the grill which used a dry rub for a diabetic friendly meal.

• Save on an abundance of fat grams by choosing BBQ chicken (and removing the skin) instead of the fat-laden spare ribs with sauce.

• Try to find side dishes with a vinegar-based dressing instead of the mayonnaise. Or even better, look up the grill with the grilled vegetable platter.

• Use lemon juice, olive oil, flavored vinegars and a combination of your favorite spices for the marinades. Soak the meat in it for several hours before grilling and just lap up the compliments all day long.

• Serve a fresh garden salad or vegetable plate, with all dressings on the side.

• A dazzling clear glass bowl filled with fresh fruits in season and top it off with a container of plain non-fat yogurt blended with melted sugarfree fruit jelly or jam as a flavor enhancement.

• Don't spend the entire day sitting, swinging or snoozing. Get up, move and enjoy the entertainment, even if that means just take a walk and enjoy the sounds and sights of nature.

• Switch to low-fat or even better non-fat dairy products to save your heart and your health by reducing those pesky fat grams per serving.

• If you get the munchies later in the day, try some quick alternatives like a handful of nuts with a few slices of apple. Another popular variety is one or two tablespoons of peanut butter spread on banana slices or a stalk of celery.

• Make your own star-studded spectacular dessert which everyone will dive for- frozen fruit popsicles. Just blend a fruit of your choice until smooth, add a small amount of sweetener if you desire. Pour into paper cups. Cover the top with aluminum foil and then poke a hole in the center and add a stick. Freeze till firm. Get ready to pass them out to everyone in attendance.

So as you can tell, a diabetic bar-b-que does not have to be off limits ever again. Just a little advance preparation and some quick thinking and you can enjoy the day just as much as everyone else in attendance.

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