Summer time is here, and one of the first instincts for many people is to pull out the barbecue. That’s a really good idea. There are many benefits from pulling out the barbecue.

You will save money on your utilities by cooking outdoors. When you are cooking, the fat from your food will drip off, making your cuts of meat less fatty. Please note, however, that doesn’t mean you should settle for buying fattier cuts of meat. The fat goes all the way through the meat so continue to buy the lean cuts. If you buy fattier meat, it will take longer for the fat to cook down and drain, and you will end up with a much smaller chunk of meat than you first thought.

Grilling vegetables on the grill is another good idea. It eliminates the need for butter or margarine or any other number of fatty or sodium filled seasonings. Baking your potatoes on the grill is another good idea, they pick up the smoky flavor and eliminate the need for a bunch of butter or sour cream.

You can grill peppers, squash, mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, chicken, fish, ground beef, pork, steaks and even tofu. Don’t use liquid smoke, let the natural flavor from your wood or coals soak in. Adding smoke flavor is not good for you. Many studies indicate that this flavor additive could contribute to onset of certain types of cancer.

The perfect summer meal, low in calories and fat would be grilled fish, grilled peppers and mushrooms, green salad and brown rice. I will include some new summer recipes as the summer continues. Enjoy summer and eat right at the same time