Healthy recipesNutrition

7 classic BBQ sides made healthier

From potato salad to cole slaw, your summer favorites just got a little lighter.

Jan, 2026
LearnHealthy salads7 classic BBQ sides made healthier
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Corn on the cob
Coleslaw
Baked beans
Potato salad
Pasta salad
Fruit Salad
Chips and dip
The dessert buffet

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Watching your weight at weekend parties can seem like a real drag. But you don't have to munch on celery sticks while everyone else is chowing down on creamy potato salad this summer. Just lighten up some of those traditional side dishes. A few swaps here and there will have you on your way to the healthiest, most delicious classic barbecue sides of the summer.

Written byPatrick Sullivan.
Medically reviewed byGaby Vaca-Flores, RD.October, 2025

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