Master healthy grilling and avoid seven unnecessary mistakes!

Summer without a proper barbecue is not really summer. The smell of marinated meat, the clink of steak knives and a light summer breeze in the background. Have you been blissfully dreaming and craving one well-done steak?

Barbecue is a part of summer, but it's a well-known fact that it's not the healthiest. In today's article, we take a look at what's harmful about grilling and how to prevent it.

Why is grilling unhealthy?

You can learn that grilling increases the risk of cancer.

Carcinogens are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are produced wherever organic matter is burned at high temperatures, including during grilling. The risk of these toxic and carcinogenic substances increases as the temperature rises.

Can changing the grill help?

With a conventional grill, the temperature can rise up to 300°C, so it's a good idea to look for a good quality grill in the first place, as there are many on the market. From electric, lava, gas and special lava stones.

So which ones are worth looking for? Gas grills produce fewer toxic substances, but the best option has proven to be the electric contact types, where the dripping fat from the meat does not come into contact with the electric spiral, and thus does not spread harmful substances.

You won't go wrong with special grills either, where there is no direct food contact with the fire. A water-type grill can also provide healthier meat preparation. A water bath between the wood and the meat 'melts' the harmful fat.

From a nutritional point of view, it is worth mentioning that up to 40% of the B vitamins are lost by grilling.

What to avoid

The longer you grill the meat, the more toxic substances will be produced, so try to cook for a shorter time, which you can also achieve by grilling smaller pieces of meat.

Avoid rubbing the meat with fat during cooking or grilling meats that are too fatty, as the risk of hazardous substances increases the fattier the food is (even though the meat is tastier).

When preparing the meat itself, try to avoid store-bought and unnecessarily overpriced ready-made marinades full of flavourings, salt and sugar with monosodium glutamate (E621), which, although reminiscent of meat flavour and can take your food up a level, in larger quantities can cause migraines, diabetes or stomach ulcers.

Seven healthy barbecue tips

• CHOOSE LEAN MEATS
• CLEAN THE GRILL Thoroughly before grilling (to get rid of burnt fat from previous grilling)
• DON'T FORGET THE VEGETABLES (not only for their antioxidant properties, but the fibre they contain reduces the absorption of toxic substances)
• CHOOSE THE RIGHT OIL
  BID ON YOUR OWN MARINade (not only will you save money and know all the ingredients used, which is often not the case with store-bought mixes, but if you make a more acidic dip yourself, it creates a "shield" on the meat that prevents carcinogens from getting into the meat. Classic sweet sauces caramelize on fire and burn quickly)
• CHOOSE GOOD QUALITY CHARCOAL
• use trays (...trays or foil. These will prevent dripping fat from getting on the meat)

You may not find grilling on the list of the TOP healthiest ways to prepare food, but it is a seasonal pastime , when it is just as important to enjoy the moment with your loved ones, to recharge from the fresh air, and a delicious meal should be just the icing on the cake.

Sources:

• https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/is-bbq-food-bad-for-you/
• https://www.medcor.com/is-it-healthy-to-eat-grilled-foods/
• https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20400685,00.html
• https://pixabay.com
• https://www.healthline.com/health-news/7-health-tips-for-your-outdoor-party