Lower Your Cancer Risk Through Grilling

Grilling out and cooking food on the grill is one of the most delicious backyard traditions in the U.S.A. However you want to make sure that your grilling experience is a safe one. Thankfully with these few easy to follow steps you can help protect your family and yourself from many of the cancer causing chemicals that can be produced when meat products aren't cooked or grilled correctly on the grill. Follow these steps and start reducing your risk today.

Use Lean Beef and Meat
When choosing meats you should select well-trimmed select cuts of meats. If you are planning to grill chicken, be sure to remove the fatty chicken skin. Fat drippings can fall from the chicken onto the hot coals below and leave cancer causing substances to drift back onto the food through smoke and flame. Try using tongs or a spatula to help avoid dripping onto the coals, never use a fork to turn your foods and be sure to cover the grill with foil of some kind to reduce dripping. If you are getting a lot of flame scorching the meat, keep a spray bottle filled with water nearby to control the fire with occasional sprays of water.

Marinade your Food
When you marinade your food you create fewer chemicals that can be linked to cancer while cooking. When marinating your food be sure to turn the meat occasionally so that you can have all surfaces come into contact with the marinade. If you plan to marinade your meats longer then 30 minutes, be sure to refrigerate the food so that it isn't exposed to bacteria If you plan on basting be sure to use a separate container.

Reduce your Cook Time
Consider taking the time to pre-cook some of your meat in the oven or even your microwave. You can then take the meat to your grill to add that delicious flavor. By keeping your grill time low you reduce the risks of chemical changes in your meats that can increase your cancer risk. Also try to keep your portions smaller while cooking and remember to flip the meats often.

Avoid eating burned meat
Don't eat burned pieces of meat as these portions contain the highest risk of cancer causing chemicals. Also consider using alternatives to your regular meat selection. Try grilling out in the backyard with fruits and vegetables. You can use skewers or foil to wrap up your foods. Consider alternative main dishes as well for grilling, you could try veggie burgers, quesadillas, pizza or even tofu.

Additional Information on Healthy Grilling

World Health Net, Barbeque Risks Grilling & Cancer

Beth Ehrensberger Health Castle, How to Minimize Cancer in the Grilling Season

University of Iowa, Safer Grilling