Friday, May 22, 2009

It's Summer Time in the City


Memorial Day is, in my opinion, the beginning of summer. Nothing beats a good cookout with family and friends. I've had a few clients and friends lately email me about ways they can make this year's cookout one that encompasses more healthy options. Many of them were shocked to hear my response that I gave many of their choices a thumbs up. As I said to them, it's not always what you eat, it's how it's prepared.


First off, we all know grilling is one of the healthier ways to prepare our meals, followed by baking and broiling. My only caveat is to watch how high the flames get and how well you cook any meats you serve. Cooking at high cause a release of chemicals which have drawn a lot of attention in print media. Heterocyclic Amines (HCAs) form when food is cooked at high temperatures, and they’re linked to cancer. In terms of HCA, the worst part of the meat is the blackened section, which is why you should always avoid charring your meat, and never eat blackened sections.


That being said, there are plenty of healthy items you can enjoy this summer on the grille. The following is a general list to follow:


  • Flip your burgers often as this will help cut down on HCAs.

  • Fill a jug with water, ice, and sliced lemons, then fill yourself up with more water than calorie filled beer and soda.

  • For something different, try grilling fruit, like apples, peaches, and pears.

In addition, now is the prime season for some delicious fresh fruits and veggies. Current in--season selections" include the following:



  • asparagus

  • spinach

  • peas

  • coconut

  • Florida strawberries

Happy grilling and keep in touch :-)

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