Healthy Summer Grilling!
Share
One thing we all look forward to in the summer is backyard grilling! But before you put grilling on your meal plan have you considered the health effects?
When meat is cooked at very high temperatures it can form chemicals called heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In animal studies, extended exposure to these chemicals has been shown to damage the DNA of cells, causing cancer.
Don’t fret-there are ways to enjoy grilled food with a few changes.
1. Cook the meat in the oven before grilling so it is not exposed to the high temperatures as long.
2. Remove charred portions before eating.
3. Marinate your meat! Marinating meat for at least 40 minutes significantly reduces the formation of cancer-causing chemicals. Ingredients like apple cider vinegar, citrus, wine, yogurt, garlic, rosemary, and thyme are most effective.
4. Reduce the amount of grilling you do.
5. Avoid grilling processed meat.
6. BBQ instead of grill-cooking foods on low temperatures for longer prevents the formation of these chemicals.
7. Pair with fruits and vegetables to counteract harmful compounds.
8. Grill vegetables freely! They do not form the same chemicals when exposed to high temps.
Here's to safe grilling this summer! Enjoy all that delicious summer bounty!
Resources:
Does grilling meat actually cause cancer?