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Fire Up The Grill Research Paper

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Health on the Barbie

Spring is in the air, the sun is shining, and that grill sitting quietly on the back deck or in the garage may be starting to tempt you. At least here, in the Midwest, the temptation of grilling has already begun to “fire up” some eager outdoor cooks. If you live in some consistently warmer climates, such as the West Coast or in the South, you may even utilize your grill daily. However, you may ponder at times the nutritional value of the food you grill or what you could do differently to give your appetite for the grill that extra health nudge.

Here are some nutrition considerations for next time you decide to fire up the grill:
1) Gas vs. Charcoal?

The age-old debate over which grilling method is “better” involves multiple variables, from flavor to cost to convenience. While no studies prove that either is healthier, gas does burn cleaner. Charcoal grills emit more carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and soot into the atmosphere, contributing to increased pollution and higher concentrations of ground-level ozone. From a taste perspective, on the other hand, many people prefer the smokier, richer taste of food cooked on a charcoal grill. If you do choose charcoal …show more content…

HCAs can damage the DNA of our genes, beginning the process of cancer development. A simple way to decrease formation of carcinogenic HCAs is to cook your meat at slightly lower temperatures, by turning the gas down or waiting for charcoal to become low-burning embers. Also, by raising the grilling surface from the heat source you can also reduce black char that can form on meat. This char has a high carcinogen content. Although it is a good idea to use an instant-read thermometer to be sure meat is thoroughly cooked, the further you cook meat past that point, the more HCAs will

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