Does Barbequed Meat Cause Cancer? Try These Healthy Barbecue Tips to Minimize Risk
Oh the tantalizing aroma of a barbequed steak or hamburger! For many, outdoor summer fun and barbequed burgers go hand in hand. However, those sizzling smells could be cooking up a potential cancer risk from charred barbequed meat. Although some studies suggest that barbequed meat can increase cancer there are many steps you can take to enjoy your barbequed chicken, beef and pork and minimize risk. Here are some healthy barbeque tips so you can enjoy your summer fun.
According to recent studies too, cooking meat with certain herbs keeps cancerous compounds from forming in your barbecued meat.
According to nutritional experts, if charring is reduced in barbequed meats, then cancer risk is very low. To minimize charring and cancer risk, here are some tips:
Before cooking barbequed meat:
- Barbeque lean meats only. It’s always a good idea to remove the skin from meat before you cook it as this is where many of the cancer-causing elements are found. However, in barbequed meats, it is especially important to remove skin as the fat stored there also causes fire flare-ups. Trim excess fat from all meat prior to barbecuing.
- Cut meat into smaller portions which will barbeque faster.
- Try partially cooking your meat in the oven prior to barbecuing it. This reduces exposure time of your meat to the fire and potential burning, smoke and charring.
- Marinade suggestions: Coating your meat with marinate is a good idea as it protects the meat from the chemical changes caused by barbecuing and thus helps minimize cancer risk. Marinate meat before cooking and then discard excess as this tends to drip into the fire and cause smoking and flare-ups.
- Use thin marinades made of vinegar or lemon as thicker marinades can increase charring. Lemon juice and olive oil have been shown in studies to reduce the formation of cancer-causing compounds by 99%!.
During the cooking stage of barbeque:
- Keep your grill at least 6 inches above the fire or heat source to prevent charring.
- Turn meat frequently on barbeque, especially burgers which should be flipped every minute.
- Prevent grease drippings from creating smoke by lining the grill with perforated aluminum foil.
- Try barbecuing meat on cedar planks.
- Try making kabob, alternating the meat with veggies, as these take less cooking time.
- Try barbecuing veggies along with meat. A diet rich in fruit and veggies can help greatly reduce cancer risk and steamed or grilled vegetables retain more nutrients than those that are boiled. Avoid overcooking veggies too.
Be sure to clean your barbecue after each use and keep your exposure to barbequed meats to about once a week to minimize risk.
Lastly, don't stress out about enjoying your favorite summer pass time of barbecuing. A healthy lifestyle which includes lots of fruits and veggies, exercise and relaxation can tolerate a little barbequed meat in moderation.
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