Taking better care of ourselves doesn’tmean avoiding enjoyable pastimes andfood experiences.
Taking better care of ourselves doesn’t mean avoiding enjoyable pastimes and food experiences
Think of summer food, and the image and aroma of the crisp, smoky edges of a tender, juicy steak come to your mind. Barbecues are fun. They bring us outdoors and can be a really healthy meal, especially once you know how to minimize some easy-to-avoid health concerns. Most of us have heard that the smoke and char from grilling has been linked to carcinogenic effects.
While these carcinogens are not harmful in very small quantities, you can avoid Flame Flare-ups by making a few small adjustments. Avoid pressing the meat when you cook it, because pressing releases more juices. Clean the grill and replace the charcoal after every use to remove residual fat and meat drippings. Leaner cuts of meat and poultry drip less. You can even grill foods on a cedar plank, which adds flavor and prevents the smoke from rising back up into the meat. Another great tip is to marinate your meat in a lemon or vinegar-based marinade, since doing so reduces the formation of carcinogens. Burning the meat or poultry is the biggest issue, so try to limit overdone steaks and chicken, as well as charred foods like marshmallows burned over the grill. And to all you grill-mark die-hards out there, take heart — there are no health risks involved in grilling fruits and vegetables. Add fiber and healthy carbs to your meal by grilling zucchini, onions, mushrooms, peppers, or asparagus.
Grilled sweet potato slices or a prebaked sweet potato seared on the grill are great ideas for a healthy starch. You can even grill avocados, which add healthy fats and fiber to your meal. For a healthier barbecue, stick to real, unprocessed meats. Hotdogs, sausages, and other processed meats usually contain flavor enhancers and chemical preservatives.
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