Nutrition Notes: Go Grilling!

Summer is here! And with it comes the tradition of grilling and barbecuing. Grilling food involves cooking it at high temperatures for a short period of time. Grilled foods are tasty and flavorful without too much added fat as compared to frying.Some tips for safe and healthy grilling, as recommended by www.eatright.org:- Choose lean cuts of meat as fat from meat may burn the outside while leaving the inside under-cooked. - Marinate the food adequately before grilling to add flavor. - Make your own marinade by combining salty, sour and sweet tastes - like soy sauce, lemon juice and honey and add your favorite spices and herbs like crushed black pepper, garlic, ginger and parsley. - Tools like tongs, spatulas and platters are necessary to help grill food. - Gas and charcoal grills are popular, though temperature control is easier in gas grills. - Seafood, tofu, tempeh and veggies like corn, portabella mushrooms, peppers, sweet potatoes and carrots are also cool foods to grill. - Meats should be cooked thoroughly to prevent food-borne illnesses. Click here for more info on cooking temperature. - Likewise, it is a safe practice to keep raw, cooked, hot and cold foods and the associated utensils all separate from each other. - Avoid charring food, as charring produces substances in the food which may cause cancer.Here's wishing you a happy summer and safe grilling!References:1. http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/lifestyle/seasonal/get-grilling-pro-tips-for-summer