Healthy Way to Barbecue a Meal

Those who are hooked onto barbecuing should ensure that they make a meal which is safe for the health of their family and does not cause unwanted health risks. Most people are aware of the association of grilled food and cancer. So avoid doing things that would increase this risk and keep your barbecuing safe and healthy. Here are some tips on how to avoid cancer causing compounds.

Fresh lime juice and olive oil combined make a great marinate for the meat and apart from giving it a great flavor also makes it tender and keep it moistened while cooking. This combination also reduces the chances of the formation of compounds which cause cancer by a good 99%. Trimming the fat from the meat before cooking it has the same reaction and reduces the formation of these dangerous compounds.

Over heating the grill while barbecuing the meat could char the food and if the meat comes in contact with the flames certain cancer forming compounds can be formed like PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and HCA (Heterocyclic amines) which are both carcinogens. So it is safer to use a lower temperature while you are grilling your food and ensure that this does not happen.

Both PAH and HCA are formed when the fat is overheated or when the drippings fall into the flames and causes smoke. Choosing foods which have less of a fat content can prevent this from happening. Foods which are safe are fruits, vegetables and lean meat with less fat content, fish or poultry.

By taking these precautions you make your barbecuing a lot safer for the family and can reduce the risk of cancer causing compounds. Eating less fat is also healthy as it helps in maintaining your lipid profile levels and keeps your waist line trim.