If you have been waiting for grilling season to begin but are worried about heart health, you are not alone. There’s something about cooking food over an open flame that just tastes amazing. However, if you’re not careful, grilling can be pretty unhealthy.
Many summer grilling foods such as ribs, hot dogs, and hamburgers are processed or high in saturated fat and sodium, contributing to health risks. Studies have also shown that cooking meat at high temperatures can cause harmful chemical reactions that have been associated with a risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
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Luckily, there are a few ways to make grilling season heart healthy. Keep reading for five tips that will help keep your heart healthy this summer!
Healthy Summertime Foods
Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy all of your favorite grilled foods, even the heart-healthy ones! From choosing lean meat cuts to healthier cooking methods, we’ve got you covered. So fire up the grill and enjoy some delicious and healthy grilling this summer!
Pick Healthier Proteins – Ditch the fatty meats that are typically grilled for more extended periods of time to be healthier this summer. Instead, opt for healthier meats such as chicken and fish. If you must have beef, make sure it is a lean cut.
Pre-Cook Meat – Larger, fatty cuts of meat can take a while to cook, which means more harmful chemicals could be getting into your food. Research has shown that harmful chemicals are associated with cancers and cardiovascular disease in fatty muscle meats as they are cooked at a higher temperature. Try pre-cooking meat so it is just finished on the grill, or cut meat into smaller portions so it spends less time on the grill.
Use Spices – According to studies, adding pepper and other spices to meat before grilling may greatly reduce harmful chemical reactions. Mixing the spices into the meat is fine, but be sure to get them mostly on the surface of the meat to help reduce the number of chemicals getting into the meat.
Get Your Veggies – When looking for alternatives to grilling meat, vegetables are a great option. There is a wide range of options of grill-friendly vegetables to choose from, including corn, sweet potato, green pepper, onions, or zucchini.
Watch Your Sides – Even if your grilled options are healthy, sides can destroy your heart-healthy meal. Many BBQ sides include carbs and high amounts of fat. Opt for whole-grain buns and side dishes that are better for heart health. For example, bean salads are a great alternative to potato or pasta salad.
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Summertime is the perfect season for grilling out with friends and family. And, if you follow a few easy steps, you can keep your heart healthy while enjoying all of your favorite grilled foods.
Pay attention to the types of meat that you grill and how it is prepared. Be sure to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as side dishes. With a little bit of planning, you can have a delicious and nutritious summer BBQ!
Helping to Keep the Heart Healthy
Keeping the heart strong and healthy is vital for enjoying a high quality of life, not just this summer but as you age. Heart Rescue was designed to help support and promote cardiovascular health using a variety of ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, magnesium, and hawthorn extract. This formula’s health benefits can help strengthen the heart muscle, support circulation, and help reduce the risk of heart
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
