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Safe BBQ
by Wendy Gist, M.S.
Summer is here and it’s the perfect time of year to gather up friends and family for an outdoor feast. As we all know, barbecuing is an all-American affair! It’s a great way to entertain, have fun and eat good food. However, in order to keep your barbecuing celebration safe and healthy, there are important precautions that should be taken.
How can a flavorsome barbecue create elevated threats to your health? Before chowing down a piece of charred salmon, chicken or steak, you may want to think twice!
If you’re concerned about consuming carcinogens, you may want to re-evaluate your grilling methods and develop health-smart habits (without sacrificing taste or compromising the traditional male dominion of the open flame).
Many of us were raised to yearn for the grill at summer parties, Fourth of July celebrations, and while camping in the great outdoors. As such, it never occurs to many that those charred meats are undermining their health. Many of us are unaware that charring meat and other foods at high heat regularly can cause the formation of possible cancer-causing compounds. Flare-ups produced from dripping fat and smoke that coats and blackens meat may produce cancer-causing agents (carcinogens).
With the proper precautions, grilling can be safe, simple and fun. Easy steps can be employed to help keep your barbecue harmless and healthy, not only for yourself, but for your friends and family as well.
Here are some tips for safe grilling:
1) BBQ Prep Suggestions
- Wash hands. Wash hands before and after handling poultry and raw meats
- Cover all foods properly
- Keep foods refrigerated previous to grilling
- Trim fat from meat and choose lean cuts
- Remove skin from poultry
2) Marinade to Combat Carcinogens
According to the Mayo Clinic, marinating meats may help reduce potential cancer causing agents. According to the American Cancer Research Institute, cancer-causing agents (HCA’s) can be reduced by as much as 99% when foods are marinated in an acidic marinade (GTD Riches).
Marinade Tips
A variety of different ingredients may be mixed together to create a marvelous, healthful marinade, such as olive oil, soy sauce, wine and cider vinegar and fresh herbs.
3) Healthy Grilling
- Clean your gas grill tubes leading to the burner with a pipe cleaner. Tubes become clogged when not used over a period of time with items such as dirt and bugs.
- Replace connectors to prevent gas leakage.
- Turn or flip meat often to prevent charring.
- Purchase fire-safe mitts.
- Use baking soda for a grease fires. Fire extinguishers should be near.
4) Meat Substitute Options
- Button Mushroom with Onion Kabobs
- Soy Burger(Nature’s Burger)
- Portabella Mushroom
- Eggplant
What are you waiting for? Get out the grill and stake your claim on providing your family and friends with a feast fit for kings.
~Wendy Gist is a Honors graduate holding an M.S. in Natural Health from Clayton College of Natural Health.