As the weather gets hot, the grill starts to call my name! Sure, we all have our tried-and-true recipes we've been craving since last summer, but there's always room for some creativity. One of my favorite grilling preparations is spice-rubbed meats and fish. Spices add tons of flavors without adding fat and calories. Rubs are easy to make yourself and you can prepare them in bulk so you have go-to flavor all season long. Here are a few of my favorites.

• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or dried ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoons cumin
• Juice and zest of one lemon
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper

• 2 tablespoons Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated or 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• Salt and pepper

• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• Salt and pepper

• Fennel Spice Rub
• Pork Tenderloin With Cocoa Spice Rub
• Bobby Flay's Tandoori-Spiced Chicken (pictured)
• Anise-Rubbed Grilled Shrimp

Katie Cavuto Boyle, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian, personal chef and owner of HealthyBites, LLC. See Katie's full bio »