Skip Chips and Reach for Veggies to Lower Calories and Ramp Up Nutrition

You'll most likely want to eat something while the grill is heating up. A bowl of chips and dip is frequently left out by the host, but you should think carefully before grabbing a handful. “Skip potato chips, and opt for crunchy veggies like peppers, carrots, and broccoli or cauliflower florets with salsa or guacamole”, suggests Maggie Michalczyk, RDN, blogger at Once Upon a Pumpkin.

According to the USDA, a small, single-serving 28-gram bag of plain potato chips has 152 calories. According to the USDA, 1 ounce (oz) of red bell pepper (which has a comparable volume) provides roughly 7 calories. Salsa is low in calories (approximately 12 calories per tablespoon, according to the USDA), and it gives a boost of nutrients from the tomatoes. Or you can grill green, yellow, red, and orange peppers and then puree them separately for an assortment of vibrantly colored dips.