Healthy Grilling Ideas

Grilling food is actually better for you than one would think. This is not dependent on the type of grill you have it is the grilling process. Here are some ways to make your next grilling adventure a healthy one for the family.

Start with your cuts of meat. Cut off the excess fat when working with chicken. If you aren’t the type who likes to mess with chicken parts, buy them already skinned and boneless. Usually all traces of fat have been removed in the store before packaging.

Steaks are a bit different. Outer fat on the steaks should be cut away but it is okay to have the marbled effect within the meat. Do the same for pork. A butcher can guide you to the right cuts of meat for grilling if you ask them. They deal with meat everyday and have a good deal of expert knowledge on the subject.

Another reason to remove the fat is that it eliminates the cancer causing char and smoke. We have heard that char is not good for us and it is not. Fat falling in the fire can initiate flare-ups that will burn the meat and char it in places. If this does occur, remove the charred part.

Steam your vegetables on the grill. You are cooking the meat on there, why not the rest of the meal? Spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray and then wrap your sliced vegetables in it. The heat from the grill will create convection current inside the foil. Make sure that you tent the foil so that the air can move among the vegetables.

Fish is a healthy alternative to other meats. Fattier fish like salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish is tasty and tender when cooked on the grill. Fillets of fish crumble up easy so put them in foil just like the vegetables to keep them together during grilling. Fish steaks are better for direct grill cooking than fillets. They are thick but will cook quicker than other meats so don't turn your back on them.

Instead of using salt on grilled foods, experiment with other seasonings. The process sears the outside and the seasonings that you have applied. Combined with the succulent juices that will once the meat is cut, these seasonings will add flavor to your meal.

To grill healthy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or your favorite meats. The fat that is in the meat will all drip away as it cooks leaving you with a tender and heart-friendly main course.