Its BBQ Season!
Ok I have to be honest with you…. The smell of Charcoal really turns me on… My stomach that is. Ha! No seriously, I LOVE BBQ and Summer is my time of year. So let me share a few good facts with you about the benefits of eating off the grill.
- Excess fats drip off meats and cook away leaving less fat in the food itself
- Vegetables retain more vitamins and minerals
- The high heat from the grill seals in moisture and keeps food tender so there’s no need to add oil or butter in the cooking process and you’re less likely to add more sauces or other condiments – thereby reducing calories
- Meats retain more riboflavin and thiamine which are essential vitamins
Listen folks, not only does food taste good but
I think these are great reasons to start grilling this summer and start some healthy eating habits. Besides, who wants to spend the summer cooking in a hot kitchen?
Warning! Not everything is healthy just because it was cooked on the grill. And adding unnecessary toppings like butter, sour cream or sauces just adds calories and fat. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Don’t burn your food. According to Health.com, you shouldn’t char your food. Why? Two compounds found in charred and overcooked meats, heterocyclic amine (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are known carcinogens. One study that found that people who consumed well done meats regularly were 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Use a low-fat marinade. Some research suggests that marinating meat (even briefly) significantly reduces the formation of HCAs. Including garlic and onions in the marinade may also help reduce HCA formation on cooked meat. What is HCA? Read this article from Wikipedia. PS. It has to do with Cancer. To help lower your cancer risks, clean your grill to get rid of preexisting charred food.
Keep it lean. Select leaner cuts (and trim any visible fat), to prevent dripping fat from causing flare-ups, which may deposit carcinogens on the meat.
Use foil. Spread aluminum foil on the grill to limit flare-ups. Make small holes in the foil to allow fat from the meat to drain.
Look for more articles from me on healthy eating, grilling tips, recipes and more!
So excited to share what I love and empower you to continue to be a fitter, sexier, healthier you! Now invite me to a BBQ we can share in the fun and food together.
