How To Cook Grilled Food Healthier?

Author: Joe Fowler Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

In this article, learn more about How To Cook Grilled Food Healthier?. 5 tips for healthier grilled food.

Whether you prefer steaks or broccoli, grilling food is a fun and convenient way to quickly prepare dinner. Grilled food adds flavor while allowing us to control the amount of saturated fat and sodium .

However, cooking meat at high temperatures above an open flame to create this grill flavor creates cancer-causing chemicals called heterocyclic amines ( HCAs ). The good news is that we don't have to give up grilling.

We can significantly reduce the number of cancer-causing chemicals we take in by following these five grilling tips:

1. Reduce fat

The less fat there is on the grill, the lower the exposure to harmful chemicals. So low-fat proteins, such as chicken or turkey, are better grilled than other meats. You can even cover the surface of the grill with aluminum foil - or wrap the meat in foil to prevent leakage.

2. Use the marinade

Studies show that dipping food in the marinade can reduce the number of carcinogens on the plate. Acidic ingredients, including wine, beer, orange juice, pineapple and vinegar, help break down proteins in meat, which helps reduce the formation of heterocyclic amines.

3. Consider pre-cooking

If we partially roast the meat in the oven or microwave before that, we will reduce the time it is exposed to high temperatures and the number of chemicals that get on the meat. We just need to make sure that we immediately transfer the food to the barbecue and that the meat reaches the right temperatures.

4. Use a gas grill

Gas grills allow us to better control temperatures. If we use one with charcoal, the flames must be able to be regulated with a bottle full of water. Whether the grill is on gas or coal, the food should be prepared away from the flame and not directly on top.

5. Bet on vegetables

Fruits and vegetables do not contain protein and fat, so water is the only thing that drips into the flames. The end result: fewer carcinogens and antioxidants. Or if there are still big fans of meat, they can be combined. Skewers are an ideal option.

How To Cook Grilled Food Healthier?

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