Continued from Bobby Flay’s Grill It!

Here are some healthy grilling suggestions from Bobby Flay’s Grill It!

Lean meats cut calories Save roughly 119 calories by replacing fatty cuts of beef like rib-eye with a lean filet mignon; opting for a 4-oz. chicken breast instead of a thigh saves 75 calories. And be sure portions are no thicker than a deck of cards.

Keep side dishes natural A medium-size baked potato is a fat-and-cholesterol-free alternative to mayo-filled potato salad, which contains more than 12 grams of fat and cholesterol. Or, as Bobby Flay suggests, just hold the mayo and use olive oil, vinegar dressing and plenty of flavorful herbs in the cole slaw or potato salad.

Give the boot to beef burgers Pass on high-fat beef burgers – which have about 480 calories and more than 39 grams of fat per 6-oz. patty. The same size turkey burger has 200 fewer calories and 27 fewer grams of fat. Placing it on a whole-wheat bun makes it extra healthy.

Be sure to read hot dog labels Look for reduced-fat franks (97-percent fat-free ones have only 50 calories and 2 grams of fat) or turkey or chicken dogs. Want to reduce sodium? A nitrate-free tofu dog has 300 grams of salt, 213 fewer than a beef frank. Top it with chopped veggies to add taste.

Kebabs are the perfect portion Make a meal on a skewer. Pair 2 oz. to 4 oz. of meat with an all-you-can eat portion of heart-healthy tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, peppers and even pineapple chunks and apple slices. Brush with a little olive oil – and voila!

Fill up on fruits and veggies Be sure to include healthy options – like salad, grilled veggies, crudités and fresh fruit – on the dinner table. Flay even suggests filling half the plate with these fiber-rich and filling favorites during the main course.

Drink water to avoid extra calories Watch for hidden calories in even nonalcoholic beverages like lemonade (150 calories per 8 oz.) or sweetened iced tea (70 calories). Instead, drink water, which also helps prevent dehydration. Squeeze in fresh lemon for some zing.