It’s Memorial Day weekend, which means it’s time for backyard barbecues.
Grilling is a relatively healthy way to cook food, and an appropriate way to kick-off the start of summer. “Grilling can not only be a healthy and fun way to cook; if done correctly, it can save you tons of calories and make those high nutrient foods so flavorful,” says says Janet Brill, a registered dietitian and fitness and nutrition expert.
But if you’re going to put meats on the grill, pay attention to how it’s cooking. You want to avoid flare-ups, and charring the food. “Flame flare-ups burn foods, which increases the formation of carcinogenic compounds,” she says. “It’s not wise to char foods, especially meats, because the small areas of char are actually the most concentrated sources. Cut off charred sections of your BBQ and toss them.”
Read on for more BBQ safety tips, and recipes for the weekend.