Written by Vivian E. Schemper, Nutrition and Wellness Specialist

Ah, it is finally summer here in North America. Time to take out the shorts, flip-flops, and take a few strolls at your local farm market! It’s also that time to start firing up the grill. You know you can grill a mean burger on the grill, but did you know that you could grill…an avocado? I know, I know, it sounds weird, but it tastes amazing! With that, we bring you a list of five surprising (and healthy!) foods that you can grill this summer.

Romaine Lettuce – grill lettuce? Yup, you read that correctly. I know it sounds odd, but don’t knock it till you try it! Slice the head of lettuce lengthwise (vertically) to keep the leaves together. Brush with avocado or coconut oil, sprinkle with salt, and grill on medium-high heat for about 3 minutes on each side. To enhance the flavor, drizzle with fresh lemon juice. The result: smoky, charred and crispy goodness that will forever transform your boring salad bowl!

Avocado – the thought of a warm avocado may make you squirm but pressing it on the grill for a few minutes can bring out the creaminess of this versatile fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!) with a smoky infusion. Cut an avocado in half and brush with olive oil or coconut oil. Sprinkle with salt. Place the avocado halves (green side down) on medium-high heat on the grill, and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until grill marks appear. These are perfect toppers
for salad or grain bowls. Heads up: avocados like to stick to the grill, so use a spatula instead of tongs when you take them off the grill.

Watermelon and peaches – the thought of throwing these on the grill may be sound a bit weird but grilling these summer staples intensifies the natural sweetness of the fruits. What does that mean for you? You get to indulge your sweet tooth, without any added or refined sugars. Also, watermelon and peaches are in-season during the summer months, so snag them at your local farm market ASAP!

Edamame – move over, steamed edamame! Grilling these protein-packed beans are what dreams are made of. Smoky, crispy, charred goodness and ready in less than 10 minutes. Place multiple beans on a skewer and brush with avocado or coconut oil and sprinkle with salt. Grill over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes or until crispy and slightly charred.

Mushrooms – mushrooms are all the rage these days (mushroom coffee, anyone?), so it is no surprise that we are throwing this meatless Monday staple on the grill. Use whole mushrooms (not the halved ones), and place multiple mushrooms on a skewer. Brush with avocado or coconut oil and sprinkle with salt. Grill over medium-high heat for about 10 to 15 minutes or until tender.

What are YOU grilling this summer? Share your grill creations, show off your perfected (or less than perfect, we don’t judge!) grill marks and tag us using #bodyfitbyamy! Make sure you follow @bodyfitbyamy on Instagram to keep up with the latest recipes and more!