Grilling Tips: Safer BBQ Practices for Health-Conscious Cooks

Grilling meat is a beloved pastime, but it's not always the healthiest choice. Open-flame grilling can char the meat, increasing the risk of producing hazardous chemicals. To minimize this, place meat only over grey coals. High temperatures on open flames can create free radicals, which may lead to inflammation, cell damage, and oxidation in the body. Even clothing can absorb these toxins, so wearing long sleeves is a good idea for skin protection.

The longer the meat is grilled, the greater the quantity of harmful substances can enter it. Pre-cooking the meat can hasten grilling and limit exposure. Similarly, cutting the meat into smaller pieces can reduce grilling time and consequent chemical exposure.

Use natural materials to ignite the coals. Avoid using accelerants as they can seep into the meat and from there into our bodies. Electric or gas grills are preferable to charcoal grills, as they don't involve the hazardous elements found in coals and fire accelerants.

Marinating the meat acts as a protective layer during grilling. Ideally, use a marinade made from fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, basil, cilantro, and garlic, which not only cut down on oxidation damage but also enhance flavor.

Vegetables and fruits naturally contain antioxidants, reducing the harm from grilled meat. Consider adding vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, eggplants, and zucchini, or even fruits like apples, oranges, or mangoes.

It's advisable not to pair grilled meat with canned, smoked, or pickled foods, which might introduce additional substances that complicate the body's detox process. Instead, opt for raw vegetables and plenty of leafy greens.

On a related note, be cautious with processed meats like sausages, hamburgers, kebabs, and other industrial meat products. These can be high in fat and often include additives for texture, taste, and appearance improvements, benefiting manufacturers more than consumers and potentially harming the latter.

Zohara Shavit is a certified naturopath N.D and an iridology specialist, with extensive experience in treatment, counseling, and workshop facilitation. To book a free workshop, call 073-2221290