It’s July and prime barbecue season. Time to fire up the grill! But did you know that meat grilled at high heats is carcinogenic and may increase your risk of certain cancers? Many barbecue sauces are also high in salt and sugar and can help you to pack on the pounds and/or strain your heart.
Never fear – you can actually enjoy your barbecue in a safe, healthy and delicious way. Here’s how:
Use the microwave. That’s right, you heard us correctly. Microwaving meat for two minutes prior to cooking decreases carcinogens by up to 90%. Be sure to discard the juice.
Slow and steady wins the race. Cook your meat for longer below 325 degrees. Anything above that is when the carcinogens begin to form.
Marinades containing spices have been shown to eliminate carcinogens. Go for the rosemary, sage, thyme, garlic and/or red pepper!
Marinate your protein in red wine or beer. Marinating beef in antioxidant high red wine for at least 6 hours before grilling can decrease carcinogens by 40%. Same goes for beer!
Marinate for shorter times. You don’t need to marinate overnight. Just a few hours are all you need. This will also ensure you don’t decrease the amount of antioxidants.
Go for bold flavors. Consider adding Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, chili sauce, tomato paste or molasses to your sauce. They are all fairly low in calories and fat compared to other alternatives.
Don’t forget to add color to your barbecue spread. Add some luscious colors of the rainbow to your barbecue spread with delicious vegetables. Fiber is good for your health and digestion.
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