Families are now ready to host barbecue parties with delicious grilled food, as school is out for the summer. Here are these tips for making barbecue favorites at the next family cookout. But, you don’t have to sacrifice any flavor.

* Ditch the Traditional Bun: If you’re looking to cut calories and pack in an extra serving of veggies for the kids, consider swapping your traditional hamburger and hot dog buns for creative and delicious veggie alternatives. You can easily transform refrigerator staples like zucchini, romaine lettuce, sweet potato into sliders and sausage buns. Grilling vegetables on the grill will give you more flavor and texture.

* Grill Lean(er) Meat: Believe it or not, there is a way to eat clean and lean without sacrificing the taste you love from richer cuts of meat. There are many options for leaner cuts. These include chicken breasts and skinless chicken thighs. There are many benefits to eating fewer calories. The lack of excess fat means that there will be fewer flare-ups at the grill.

Consider switching to leaner sausages if you are a fan hot dogs and bratwurst. Simply Savory Smoked Sausage Land O’FrostThere are many bold flavors available, including chipotle, bacon, cheddar and roasted red pepper. Also, you can get them in an Italian style with peppers and mozzarella. These sausages are 35 percent lower in fat than regular sausages and contain no MSG, artificial flavors or fillers.

* Tangy Twist: Instead of dousing chicken and pork in store-bought barbeque sauces that are high in sugar, consider squeezing the juice of fresh lemon or limes over meat. You can make the dish more adventurous by substituting the tart taste with a sweeter flavor. You can add pineapple or orange juice to get the sweet flavor you want without adding sugar.

These simple tips will help you create a healthier barbecue for family and friends. You can find coupons and more information on Land O’Frost’s Simply Savory Sausages at www.foster.com. www.landofrost.com.