GRILL TIME HEALTHY TIPS

Grilling is a great way to gather friends and family to savor the great taste of grilled produce or meat.

There are many food options to consider when grilling, meat is not the only thing that can be grilled! Have you ever tried grilled pineapple or grilled zucchini with a touch of butter? Fruits and vegetables on the grill are a great option when selecting healthy choices for the grill. Both, fruits and veggies contain naturally occurring, cancer-fighting phytochemicals and only need a short time on the grill to take on that smokey flavor.

Other healthy options for the grill are fish or chicken. Both are lean cuts and take less time to grill compared to a steak, and still have the grilled flavor. Add some fresh herbs or a squeeze from a lemon to enhance the flavor. When grilling red meats, choose lean ground beef to reduce the amount of fat and calories. Another healthy idea is to minimize the consumption of processed meats such as hot dogs or sausages.

HEALTHY GRILLING TIPS

When grilling, a little foil over the grill can help reduce food from becoming charred. Covering the grates with perforated foil allows juices from the food to drip but prevents some of the resulting smoke from rising up into the food. Adding foil to the grill is a great way to minimize the risk of carcinogens being deposited into grilled foods.

Studies from the American Cancer Society (ACS) have shown carcinogens which are compounds linked to cancer, can get deposited into foods from grilling. The fat from foods drips and burns on the grill, causing smoke which rises back into the food which is then consumed.

A few more tips to reduce the amount of carcinogens:

  • Properly clean the grill after each use. Brush off residue and rinse the rack thoroughly.
  • Cook your meat at a lower temperature. This will reduce the amount of smoke but just make sure that your foods are meeting the minimum cooking temperatures suggested for food safety.
  • Cut or scrape off any charred pieces on the food before consuming.

Our Health Educator – Nichelle

Sources:
American Cancer Society
Columbia University Does Grilling Cause Cancer? Retrieved June 8, 2022.