We work with a couple nutritionists here at Motion PR (Julie Upton and Katherine Brooking, to be exact), and they never fail to get us thinking about our own dietary flaws (a peak into our fridge should have gotten us thinking about that long ago, but I digress). Today was no different, as members of our staff had the privilege of accompanying Registered Dietitian Katherine Brooking to WGN studios for her segment on healthy summer grilling (seen here). Katherine stressed the importance of replacing the fatty parts of a barbecue like ground beef, cheese and mayo, with healthier options like portabella mushrooms, avocado and Greek yogurt.

Of course, in this modern age of obesity we have all been told that the more meat we eat, the more weight we are likely to gain. Based on a recent study conducted by Dr. Anne-Claire Vergnaud of Imperial College London (See details on the study here), that idea might be more relevant than we had previously thought.

Katherine’s segment gave us tips and tricks on how to cut down calories while still delivering on flavor. Vergnaud’s study went a step further, showing that if two people eat the same amount of calories, the one who eats more meat will actually gain more weight. Her five-year study tracked the weight gain and diets of over 370,000 people across ten European countries.

So, the next time you are craving a burger, take Katherine’s advice and grill up portabella burger instead. Not only are they a far cry in flavor from your average veggie-burger, but they are also high in protein, low in fat, cholesterol free, and are a good source of fiber. The portabella burger is just one of Katherine’s helpful tips on how to cut back on your meat intake, without sacrificing that great taste.

For more helpful nutrition advice, you can catch Julie Upton and Katherine Brooking as hosts of “Appetite for Health” on CW TV’s Daily Buzz (and now on ION.)