Realm health and fitness tips from Kyle

Summer is a time for us to give our ovens a break and to fire up the barbeque. Here are some tips for making some delicious (and nutritious) summer barbeque sides, main courses, and desserts.

Sides:

DON’T: Serve potato chips, corn chips, french fries, macaroni salad, or any other greasy and fried food products. These are high in calories, have minimal protein and nutrients, and will likely leave you feeling bloated after you eat them.

DO: Take advantage of in-season produce and go to your local farmers market and pick up some of your favorite veggies for grilling.  Season them with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper and some grated Parmesan for an unforgettable side. Throw some fennel, turnip greens, chopped apples, and dried berries in a bowl with a splash of balsamic for a refreshing salad.

Main course:

DON’T: Serve low quality or processed meat, high carb pastas, or provide buns and bread for fillers.

DO: Serve high quality red meat, chicken, ground turkey or fish. Red meat is often demonized but is high in protein and gives your body the good fats you need, it can also improve your vitamin D uptake, and is packed with B vitamins, and iron.

Deserts:

DON’T: Serve cake, cup cakes, and pies.

DO: Get creative and natural with your desserts, try to avoid refined sugars and stay away from flour.

Make the most of the season’s fresh fruits and make a fruit tart, dark chocolate covered strawberries, or some vanilla bean ice cream mixed with berries.

Kyle is a nationally certified personal trainer, certified nutritionist, and lifestyle motivator out of Los Angeles, CA. He has been training for 5 years and has experience working with top-tier celebrity and executive clientele. When he’s not in the gym, Kyle is reading philosophy or writing poetry.