Unfortunately, there’s one universal truth to snacking. If it’s tasty, it’s usually bad for you. But that’s no longer set in stone. Next up – burgers!

Summer is here. The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and the beach is calling your name. We love summer. And what would summer be without burgers on the grill?

As delicious as burgers are, they aren’t great for your waistline. Between the meat, cheese, and bread, burgers are high in calories and fat. Instead of shying away from these cookout favorites (we see you hiding by the veggie dip), try these healthy hacks!

Where’s the Beef? Not in the Burger!

Fatty ground beef is what gives burger meat so much of its natural flavor, but it also adds on the calories. One way to curb some of the fattiness of the burger is to use leaner meats. That could mean getting leaner ground beef, but that often makes a drier burger.

Instead, give ground turkey a try. It’s a very lean, yet surprisingly moist meat. Ground chicken is very similar. Finally, salmon burgers are lean, tasty, and lend themselves to a wide range of flavors. These three meats all are low on fat, but big on flavor.

For vegetarian burgers, you can blend a mix of sweet potatoes, beans, and grains to create a meatless patty.

What’s a Burger Without the Buns?

If you’re looking to maximize how healthy your burgers are, there are plenty of low-carb, low-calorie bun options to consider.

The most famous is a lettuce wrap. For this alternative, all you need to do is take a large piece of lettuce and wrap it around your burger and toppings. Other options include Portobello mushrooms, tortillas, and whole wheat buns.

Cheese Please!

Cheese helps to take a good burger and make it a great burger. Unfortunately, American cheese averages 105 calories per one ounce slice. That’s about the same as a ½ cup of vanilla ice cream.

Cheese is always going to be high in calories, but there are lighter options. In comparison, feta cheese and part skim mozzarella are both around 75 calories for one ounce. Only slightly fattier, creamy Camembert cheese is 85 calories.

One of the healthiest options is Non-fat mozzarella, which is only 42 calories per ounce! Not only will you be eating healthier, but you’ll add a bit of delicious class to your burger. If you’re not hosting the barbecue, you may need to bring your own cheese, though.

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Burgers are key component of a great barbecue. With these tips, you can enjoy your favorite cookout treat without breaking your diet. Happy grilling!