A nutritious side dish to grill this summer season
American Heart Association
Use a basting brush to glaze fruit with about half the balsamic mixture.
American Heart Association
Place fruit kabobs to the grill. Turning a couple times while cooking and basting with remaining balsamic mixture, until fruit is caramelized about 8 to 10 minutes.
American Heart Association
Skewers filled with pineapple, strawberry, banana and watermelon offer a smart alternative to typical holiday desserts like ice cream and cake.
The coronavirus has put a damper on many summer outings, but you can still kick off barbecue season in a healthy way.
Skewers filled with pineapple, strawberry, banana and watermelon offer a smart alternative to typical holiday desserts like ice cream and cake.
鈥淎ll fruits are nutritious because they鈥檙e a source of micronutrients, dietary fibers and polyphenols, the latter of which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits,鈥� said Penny Kris-Etherton, a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University蘑菇视频 Department of Nutritional Sciences.
鈥淢any studies have shown that higher fruit intake is associated with better health and a decreased risk of chronic disease-related morbidity and mortality.鈥�
The fruit kebabs might be sweet and tasty, but they鈥檙e also packed with soluble and insoluble fiber, which have lots of health benefits and make you feel full.
鈥淪oluble fiber decreases cholesterol absorption and lowers (bad) LDL cholesterol, a causal factor in the development of atherosclerosis,鈥� Kris-Etherton said. 鈥淚nsoluble fiber benefits gastrointestinal health 鈥� and total fiber is thought to play a role in satiety and control food intake.鈥�
The recipe also contains balsamic vinegar. Kris-Etherton said the nutritional benefits of vinegar are still largely unproven, especially in the small amounts used in this recipe.
Make sure to keep an eye on the honey and don鈥檛 add more than the two tablespoons in the recipe.
鈥淗oney is considered an added sugar (and) it has the same effect physiologically as does sugar,鈥� she said.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to no more than 100 calories a day for most women and no more than 150 calories a day for men.
Ingredients
Servings: 4
8 skewers
2 cups pineapple chunks
2 cups watermelon chunks
2 bananas (peeled, cut into large chunks)
1 package strawberries (stems discarded)
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon canola oil
Directions
Tip: Click on step to mark as complete.
If using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare a grill to medium-high heat. Prepare the fruit by chopping 2 cups pineapple and 2 cups watermelon. Peel and thickly slice bananas and remove stems from strawberries.
Thread fruit onto the 8 skewers, aiming for 2 pieces of each fruit per skewer: strawberry, pineapple, watermelon, banana, strawberry, pineapple, watermelon, and banana. Place onto a platter or a baking sheet.
In a small bowl, add vinegar, honey, and oil. Whisk together with a fork. Use a basting brush to glaze fruit with about half the balsamic mixture.
Add fruit kabobs to the grill. Turning a couple times while cooking and basting with remaining balsamic mixture, until fruit is caramelized about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from grill and serve.