MARATHON — Summer BBQ meals for many is a summer season highlight. But can such a convenient and tasty way of cooking become healthier too? Marathon Family Health team thinks it can and as a result they have shared some easy tips from registered dietitian, Michelle Broughton.
According to Broughton, following these five tips when barbecuing can help boost nutrition, without sacrificing the taste we all enjoy in a barbecued meal.
- Stay away from processed meats, which have harmful fats and chemicals. Instead, “tweak the meal”. Use poultry, fish, and vegetables.
- Watch the sauce. Remember to read the nutrition facts, as many pre-made sauces or spices can be quite salty. Choose products with less than 5-15 per cent daily value of sodium per serving.
- Try homemade. Make a homemade marinade that will help tenderize the meat and boost the flavour without using salt.
- Add more variety. Start with portions of protein and balance the meal with whole grain and produce. Try salads, marinate vegetables and in-season corn on the cob.
- Get science on your side. When animal fat drips onto flames causing flare-ups, harmful compounds are formed on the food which are linked to cancer. Broughton suggests to lower your risk by:
- not eating the charred or burned parts of meat which carry the most risk
- marinating the meat before it is barbecued to protect the food
- serving with veggies, which help your body fight those compounds.
For more information and healthy barbecue ideas, visit the Marathon Family Health Team website.
