Transform your BBQ into a super healthy summer feast

Summer is here ahead of schedule, and BBQs are being planned all over the country for the sunny weekends ahead - as so many of us know, this is a challenging time if you're watching the calories and losing weight.

Lo-Dough is more than a low fat pizza base - you can use it as your wrap alternative, bread alternative, even cracker bread alternative to drastically reduce the calories consumed at your average BBQ. Indulge in sausages, burgers and kebabs whilst basking in the sunshine. (you can, because you're using Lo-Dough instead of unhealthy bread products). 

Whether you are a vegetarian or meat eater, it’s all too easy to reach for the fluffy white bread rolls and potato salads, crisps and desserts, all of which can be totally replaced with a Lo-Dough bread alternative.

According to Lo-Dough co-founder Ben Holden, the way we do healthy eating and fitness is changing forever because of Lo-Dough. He said: “The sun’s out and everyone can’t wait to pull the grills out, which is danger time for those like myself who are watching what they eat. Being able to offer a super low-carb and low calorie alternative which actually tastes brilliant and goes with everything - well, basically I don’t see what could be better.

“Indulge at your BBQ, eat the grilled meat, the veg, and enjoy the food you enjoy, because with the bread replaced, you’ve got more freedom than ever.”

How to Have a Lo-Dough BBQ

Essentially, use Lo-Dough wherever there would normally be bread, pastry, crisps, or even desserts. Blitzing it into breadcrumbs and using in baking is a more timely effort, so for a BBQ, it’s recommended to wrap up your meat with fresh-from-the-packet Lo-Dough to escape all the carbs normal bread burden us with.

Did you know? One piece of Lo-Dough is 39 calories and 2.2g carbs, which is a breakthrough for the diet, fitness and nutrition world.

Recipe 1. Lo-Dough Cheese Burger Wrap

A true BBQ favourite - the classic cheeseburger which not surprisingly is cast aside as a ‘no-no’ by those who are watching the pounds or have fitness goals to achieve. Not when done like this.

Simply cook up your burgers on the grill, add the cheese (the calories from this are fully allowed because you are using Lo-Dough as your bread alternative), and then wrap it in the good stuff and enjoy the whole thing for just over 300 calories.

Important: Eating mindfully applies just as much as it always would in terms of stocking up on meat products and splashing on the sugary ketchup sauce - of course these things have their limit - but the point is that, with Lo-Dough as your bread alternative, or as your wrap, it gives your more freedom than you otherwise would have.

Nutrition:

• Calories: 321 calories
• Fat: 15 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fibre: 11 g
• Protein: 31 g

Cheese burger wrap full recipe

Recipe 2. Grilled Veg Kebab Wrap (V)

Finding a decent meat substitute to give you that textural, flavoursome chew can be tough, but this is one super ideal BBQ dish which even allows you the whole wrap.

Use healthy, nicely seasoned, grilled vegetables and come up with this BBQ-friendly veggie kebab wrap. A great one to impress your veggie friends.

Vegetarian recipes are generally healthier than those stacked up with meat (especially processed meat) - and for vegetarians, Lo-Dough is a superb way of getting more protein into your diet.

Swap the wraps and bread products for Lo-Dough and you'll see a vastly improved overall diet, as well as a nicely reduced calorie consumption.

Nutrition:

• Calories: 102 calories
• Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fibre: 12 g
• Protein: 12 g

Veggie kebab wrap full recipe

Recipe 3. Lo-Dough Lamb Kofta Kebab

Don't let the idea of kebabs and calories put you off this BBQ classic - with Lo-Dough you can indulge stodge-free. Load up on spicy lamb, fresh salad and sauce - this is a low-calorie, low-carb kebab is full of flavour and works perfectly for a sunny day lunch outside with friends.

Lamb kofta dishes are especially popular and are cooked in gravy and spices to your taste. Despite being known in Europe as a more unhealthy, fast food dish, they can very much be made to make a decent hearty meal. They are as healthy as ever when you use Lo-dough as your bread alternative.

Nutrition:

• Calories: 260 calories
• Fat: 12 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fibre: 11.8 g
• Protein: 11 g

Healthy lamb kofta kebab full recipe

Recipe 4. BBQ hot dog sandwich

Hot dogs, frankfurters, wieners - they're a delicious and guilty pleasure aren't they? Especially at a warm summer BBQ.  What if you were told that you could do them on the Lo-Dough and enjoy an entire one for 380 calories? Full fat sausage which is supermarket bought, with no skimping on inner contents at all. Fold up a piece of Lo-Dough and enjoy what should be a guilty pleasure.

Nutrition:

• Calories: 380 calories
• Fat: 21 g
• Carbohydrates: 19.7 g
• Fibre: 9.3 g
• Protein: 24g

Low calorie hot dog full recipe

Recipe 5. Chargrilled Halloumi Veggie Kebab (V)

Veggie barbecues are not complete without Halloumi - it's a globally recognised delicious substitute for the grill. 

There are reduced fat alternatives available, but with Lo-Dough you needn't worry about that - you can still get a substantial and filling wrap for 400 calories. 

See the full recipe for chargrilled halloumi veggie kebab 

Bonus Lo-Dough tip for your summer BBQ: Swap crisps for cracker bread (this works a treat).

The snack table is one of the most dangerous places at a BBQ, but did you know you can make cracker bread out of Lo-Dough?

Enjoy your hummus dip or spicy salsa, with super low carb cracker bread made simply by putting your Lo-Dough in the microwave

Method: Add a shake of the cheese and a sprinkle of the rub on to one side of the Lo-dough. Run over once with a rolling pin to push them into the dough. 2. Place cheese and herb side down on a hot sandwich press. Sprinkle more of each ingredient onto the other side and bring down the lid of the press. 3. Cook for approx. 5 mins - or until the dough has dried out and gone crisp and everything is lightly golden.

Top tip: If you are looking to cut the carbs further at your BBQ, switch the potato salads for crispy, peppery alternatives, and stay low on the dressings. Alcohol is super high in calories, but with Lo-Dough at the ready, there is always space for a cold glass of Prosecco.

 

Check out this blog by BBC Good Food for more BBQ tips