Grilling for Living — The South Hampton Diet

Hey guys

How does a nice piece of grilled chicken breast and some healthy hamburgers sound? Simply delicious. Well, these are not the only things you can grill. Asparagus, portobello mushrooms, tomatoes and onions all grill nicely too. You can also grill some pineapple or peaches, or even strawberries, for dessert.

There are many ways you can turn your grilling not only into a flavourful and fun way to cook but also into a healthy way to eat. By choosing foods that are low in fat and high in nutrients and full of flavor, you can create great meals that are also healthy.

Marinating not only adds extra flavor to foods but also reduces the formation of cancer causing substances on them. For example, a marinade containing olive oil and/or citrus juices can reduce the formation of these chemicals by as much as 99%. So, not only do they tenderize the meats, they make a much better meal.

Here are some healthy tips you can follow:

• Keep your grill clean. A clean grill not only cooks better, it is safer in every way.
• Trim excess fats from food. These fats are the troublemakers, so keep them to a minimum.
• Use marinades based on olive oils and/or citrus juices. This is the number one way to stay safe.
• Avoid flare-ups. Flare-ups burn foods and this increases HCA (heterocyclic amines) formation.
• Don’t overcook foods. The charred bits on foods are the largest sources of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and HCAs so if you have charred sections of meat, cut them off.

Even though summer is now officially over, you can still reap the benefits of grilled foods. Give it a try!

God bless you guys

AlejandroQ