Get to the Grill!

The grill…that fantastic outdoor food cooker is far more than just another way to plump hot dogs and cook perfect medium-well burgers. It’s also a different way to prepare tasty and nutritious food for our friends and family. Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of cooking out and maybe even throw a few recipe ideas out there.

Let’s start with the meats. No doubt, meat cooked on the grill beats meat cooked on top of a stove almost any day. In some cases it’s also a healthier option. When cooking on the stove, the meat often ends up being cooked in its own fat. When grilled, some of that fat drips away or is burned off in the cooking process.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that it makes that 1lb. 80% chuck beef patty a low fat burger, but it does trim a little bit off. Leaner meat can also benefit from the grill. The high heat can help to seal in some of the moisture. This can make for a tastier grilled chicken or salmon steak that requires less seasoning salt and condiments that add unnecessary sodium and sugar.

There’s no reason why we should limit ourselves to grilling meats, especially when there are so many fruit and vegetable options out there. Sliced yellow squash, tomatoes, and just about any veggie we can slice of fit in a foil pack can go on the grill. How about sweet potatoes… there not just for Thanksgiving dinner. They’re packed with potassium, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and they are delicious right off the grill. We have a simple recipe right HERE.  Apples, pears, peaches, pineapples… and the list goes on, are often easy, quick, and require no seasoning. These are just a few suggestions to help us get the most out of our grilling experience.

Keep in mind that there have been concerns over carcinogens that exist in very well-done food. Seasoning with certain spices high in antioxidants, basting, and pre-cooking what we throw on the grill are just a few suggestions found HERE that help cut down on those harmful carcinogens.

As always, be sure to speak with a licensed health professional before making any dietary changes that may impact your overall health.

If you have any grilling suggestions, leave a comment below or let us know on Facebook and Twitter.