9 BBQ Restaurant Dishes to Skip and What to Order Instead

Barbecue places are hard to resist because of the smoky smell, sizzling meat, and acidic sauces. But not every food item you like should be on your plate. A lot of BBQ foods have a lot of sugar, sodium, and fat in them, which might make you feel sluggish or bloated. But not going to BBQ at all isn’t the answer. You may still enjoy all the robust, smoky flavor without hurting your health if you make a few simple changes. Here are nine BBQ items you shouldn’t eat and what to order instead so you may enjoy your meal with taste, balance, and confidence.

1. Skip: St. Louis Ribs | Order Instead: Smoked Chicken

St. Louis style ribs are tasty and rich, but they are also deeply marbled and frequently glazed in a sweet sauce that can double your daily sodium consumption. Before the sides even get to the table, a single plate can have more than 1,000 calories. On the other hand, smoked chicken has tender meat that smells like wood smoke and has less fat. It gives you lean protein and authentic BBQ flavor without the greasy aftermath or too much sugar when you eat it with vinegar slaw or grilled vegetables.

2. Skip: Burnt Ends | Order Instead: Brisket Flat Slice

Burnt ends are a BBQ legend, but they’re really just cubes of fatty pork covered with caramelized sauce. They’re tasty, but they have a lot of sugar and saturated fat. Instead, choose a sliced brisket from the “flat” part, which is lean. It still has that strong smoky taste, but it has less fat and less calories. You can lightly pour sauce on the side instead of soaking it. You’ll receive food that melts in your mouth, is considerably healthier, and tastes just as good with each bi

3. Skip: Pulled Pork Sandwich with White Bun | Order Instead: Pulled Pork Plate with Slaw

Pulled pork sandwiches sound harmless, but the rich sauce, refined white bread, and fatty meat may easily add up to more than 800 calories. If you choose a pulled pork platter instead, you may choose healthier sides and regulate the sauce. Instead of fries, try slaw made with vinegar, roasted corn or green beans. You can still enjoy the smoky, shredded texture of slow-cooked pork, but there will be less empty carbs and a healthier mix of protein, fiber, and freshness on your plate.

4. Skip: Deep-Fried Catfish | Order Instead: Grilled or Blackened Fish

Deep-fried catfish could make you feel nostalgic, but the cornmeal batter on it soaks up oil and adds extra calories. Instead, try fish that has been grilled or blackened with spices, lemon juice, and a little olive oil. The end result tastes just as good but is much lighter. You’ll use less grease yet still get the smoky char that makes BBQ cooking so good. This change also keeps more omega 3 fatty acids and other nutrients that would be lost while deep fried.

5. Skip: Loaded BBQ Nachos | Order Instead: BBQ Chicken Lettuce Wraps

A snack of loaded BBQ nachos is a calorie bomb because it has cheese, sour cream, and sweet sauce on top of fried chips. Try BBQ chicken lettuce wraps instead. They are made with grilled chicken mixed with a little sauce and served in crisp lettuce leaves with onions and pickles. They provide you protein, crunch, and a little bit of taste without making you feel heavy. It has the same smoky sweet taste, but it’s in a refreshing, low carb form that fills you up without making you feel sluggish.

6. Skip: Creamy Mac and Cheese | Order Instead: Baked Sweet Potato or Corn on the Cob

Mac and cheese is the best comfort food, but it has a lot of butter, milk, and cheese that adds up quickly. A cooked sweet potato or corn on the cob goes much better with BBQ. Sweet potatoes are full of fiber, beta carotene, and complex carbs that give you energy for a long time. Corn provides natural sweetness and crunch. They both go really well with smoky meats and keep the meal from being too rich. A little smoked paprika or lime adds a natural brightness to the flavor.

7. Skip: White Bread and Pickle Plate | Order Instead: Mixed Greens or Side Salad

The slice of white bread next to your BBQ dish is just filler. It doesn’t give you any nutrition and makes your blood sugar go up. Have a side of mixed greens or a simple salad with vinaigrette instead. The crunchy vegetables clear your mouth and make heavy meats taste better. Greens also help with digestion since they provide fiber and antioxidants that help your body break down those smoky proteins. It’s a simple switch that fills you up without making you feel full.

8. Skip: Sausage Links | Order Instead: Turkey Sausage or Grilled Shrimp

BBQ sausages taste great and are smoky, but they also have a lot of sodium, saturated fat, and preservatives. If you choose turkey sausage, you’ll get a comparable taste but with a lot less fat and cholesterol. Grilled prawns is another great choice because it cooks quickly, soaks up marinades well, and is a good source of lean protein. Both choices will satisfy your BBQ needs without going overboard on calories. You still get that delicious, burnt flavor, but in a way that your body will thank you for later.

9. Skip: Banana Pudding or Pecan Pie | Order Instead: Fresh Fruit or Grilled Pineapple

Banana pudding and pecan pie might be the last things you eat at a BBQ, but they have a lot of refined sugar, butter and cream in them. Instead, have a bowl of fresh fruit or a slice of grilled pineapple for dessert. Fruit has natural sugars that make it sweet without adding too many calories. Grilling it gives it a smoky caramel flavor that adds depth. You won’t feel heavy after eating, and you’ll end your BBQ on a lighter, more refreshing note.