15 'healthy' barbecue foods that are actually terrible for you
Even salads can be tricky

Steak
, like rib-eye or T-bone, can pack almost 40 grams of fat. If you're really craving steak, opt for a sirloin, which has less than half that.

Coleslaw
How you prepare this shredded veggie dish is always a source of contention, but here's an argument for tossing your slaw in vinegar rather than mayo: A mayonnaise-based dressing will up the fat content.

Potato Salad
One cup of homemade potato salad can have more than 20 grams of fat. The silent killer? That mayonnaise-based dressing. You're not doing yourself any favors by adding crumbled bits of bacon, either.

Ribs
Neither kind of ribs — spareribs or baby back ribs — fall into the for lean meat. When slathered with barbecue sauce, they're even worse for you. Opt for a dry rub if you absolutely can't go the summer without a rack.

Corn on the Cob
It's not the vegetable itself that's fattening. One ear of corn has less than . But when you rub it down with butter, and top it with creamy dressings, you send the fat content into the danger zone.
PHOTO: Jonathan Boulton

Salad
This is when it's alright to judge a book by its cover. If the salad is dressed with oil and vinegar, you're in the clear. But any creamy dressings, like ranch or blue cheese, can have close to in just two tablespoons.

Dips
Anything that's made with ranch, cream cheese, or mayonnaise (and all the good ones are) will cancel out all those hours you've been clocking at the gym.

Chips
Surprise! The ones being served at a barbecue are likely not baked or gluten-free or healthy in any way shape or form.

Condiments
In particular, most ketchups have tons of added sugar, but that's not to say you should steer clear of all things that make your hamburger extra delicious. There are , and mustard generally doesn't use as much sweetener.

BBQ Sauce
Almost all of it has sugar. So much sugar!

Pasta Salad
Again, this isn't likely one that'll surprise you, but mayo + pasta + everything else = not an ideal side dish.

Buns
Sure, you could request a gluten-free option, but you could also eat half the bun and go heavy on the meat parts of your meal. In fact, go all in on the meat — forget the bun.

Sausage Links
It's so delicious because it is filled with fat and salt. A to break it all up is to cut the links into pieces and intersperse them on an otherwise-veggie-filled kebab.

Pulled Pork
Pork itself isn't bad for you: it's a lean, protein-packed meat. But the addition of barbecue sauce and the fact that, in its pulled version, it typically comes in huge piles makes it a less than ideal choice.

Fruit Salad
More sugar.
Steak
, like rib-eye or T-bone, can pack almost 40 grams of fat. If you're really craving steak, opt for a sirloin, which has less than half that.
Coleslaw
How you prepare this shredded veggie dish is always a source of contention, but here's an argument for tossing your slaw in vinegar rather than mayo: A mayonnaise-based dressing will up the fat content.
Potato Salad
One cup of homemade potato salad can have more than 20 grams of fat. The silent killer? That mayonnaise-based dressing. You're not doing yourself any favors by adding crumbled bits of bacon, either.
Ribs
Neither kind of ribs — spareribs or baby back ribs — fall into the for lean meat. When slathered with barbecue sauce, they're even worse for you. Opt for a dry rub if you absolutely can't go the summer without a rack.
Corn on the Cob
It's not the vegetable itself that's fattening. One ear of corn has less than . But when you rub it down with butter, and top it with creamy dressings, you send the fat content into the danger zone.
PHOTO: Jonathan Boulton
Salad
This is when it's alright to judge a book by its cover. If the salad is dressed with oil and vinegar, you're in the clear. But any creamy dressings, like ranch or blue cheese, can have close to in just two tablespoons.
Dips
Anything that's made with ranch, cream cheese, or mayonnaise (and all the good ones are) will cancel out all those hours you've been clocking at the gym.
Chips
Surprise! The ones being served at a barbecue are likely not baked or gluten-free or healthy in any way shape or form.
Condiments
In particular, most ketchups have tons of added sugar, but that's not to say you should steer clear of all things that make your hamburger extra delicious. There are , and mustard generally doesn't use as much sweetener.
BBQ Sauce
Almost all of it has sugar. So much sugar!
Pasta Salad
Again, this isn't likely one that'll surprise you, but mayo + pasta + everything else = not an ideal side dish.
Buns
Sure, you could request a gluten-free option, but you could also eat half the bun and go heavy on the meat parts of your meal. In fact, go all in on the meat — forget the bun.
Sausage Links
It's so delicious because it is filled with fat and salt. A to break it all up is to cut the links into pieces and intersperse them on an otherwise-veggie-filled kebab.
Pulled Pork
Pork itself isn't bad for you: it's a lean, protein-packed meat. But the addition of barbecue sauce and the fact that, in its pulled version, it typically comes in huge piles makes it a less than ideal choice.
Fruit Salad
More sugar.
Steak
, like rib-eye or T-bone, can pack almost 40 grams of fat. If you're really craving steak, opt for a sirloin, which has less than half that.
Coleslaw
How you prepare this shredded veggie dish is always a source of contention, but here's an argument for tossing your slaw in vinegar rather than mayo: A mayonnaise-based dressing will up the fat content.
Potato Salad
One cup of homemade potato salad can have more than 20 grams of fat. The silent killer? That mayonnaise-based dressing. You're not doing yourself any favors by adding crumbled bits of bacon, either.
Ribs
Neither kind of ribs — spareribs or baby back ribs — fall into the for lean meat. When slathered with barbecue sauce, they're even worse for you. Opt for a dry rub if you absolutely can't go the summer without a rack.
Corn on the Cob
It's not the vegetable itself that's fattening. One ear of corn has less than . But when you rub it down with butter, and top it with creamy dressings, you send the fat content into the danger zone.
PHOTO: Jonathan Boulton
Salad
This is when it's alright to judge a book by its cover. If the salad is dressed with oil and vinegar, you're in the clear. But any creamy dressings, like ranch or blue cheese, can have close to in just two tablespoons.
Dips
Anything that's made with ranch, cream cheese, or mayonnaise (and all the good ones are) will cancel out all those hours you've been clocking at the gym.
Chips
Surprise! The ones being served at a barbecue are likely not baked or gluten-free or healthy in any way shape or form.
Condiments
In particular, most ketchups have tons of added sugar, but that's not to say you should steer clear of all things that make your hamburger extra delicious. There are , and mustard generally doesn't use as much sweetener.
BBQ Sauce
Almost all of it has sugar. So much sugar!
Pasta Salad
Again, this isn't likely one that'll surprise you, but mayo + pasta + everything else = not an ideal side dish.
Buns
Sure, you could request a gluten-free option, but you could also eat half the bun and go heavy on the meat parts of your meal. In fact, go all in on the meat — forget the bun.
Sausage Links
It's so delicious because it is filled with fat and salt. A to break it all up is to cut the links into pieces and intersperse them on an otherwise-veggie-filled kebab.
Pulled Pork
Pork itself isn't bad for you: it's a lean, protein-packed meat. But the addition of barbecue sauce and the fact that, in its pulled version, it typically comes in huge piles makes it a less than ideal choice.
Fruit Salad
More sugar.
Even salads can be tricky
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If you think you're making healthy choices at all those family barbecues, check this list to make sure.