If you’re grilling meat, then choose grass-fed meats, and if you’re grilling fruits and vegetables, then choose organic. Grass-fed meats are naturally higher in many nutrients, like healthy fats, antioxidants and vitamins. Similarly, studies show that certain organic produce have more antioxidants than non-organic produce, suggesting that the antioxidants present act as a defense mechanism against natural occurring resistances[1], such as cooking at high temps.  Antioxidants like vitamin E also help food stay healthy when cooked at high temperatures and on direct heat, like on a grill.

It’s real easy for a grill to have spices and sauces burned and stubbornly left on the grate. The problem is that those bits of food that are charred in place can negatively affect your health. When a food reaches a certain temperature, the heat serves as a catalyst for many reactions to occur. This is why the antioxidants in the grass-fed meats and organic produce are so helpful—they help to delay certain reactions from occurring on charred bits and ends. Just as you would avoid overcooking and charring your food, cleaning up your grill can help to keep the charred leftovers from last time from bringing your dinner down. I recommend bringing your grill to temperature, and taking a wire brush and scrubbing the grate before putting food on. The high temperature allows the cleaning process to go much smoother, and makes for a quick and painless cleanup. Repeat the scrubbing with the wire brush after you’re done grilling as well to make it easier for next time!

While meat and certain vegetables take time to cook and become the right temperature and texture, many sauces will heat up much faster. This means that the sauce can burn, and, again, char the food. The easiest to burn and char are the sauces with the highest sugar content—typically tomato based BBQ sauces. The natural sugars in the tomato sauce will caramelize and then burn long before the meat is ready. Similarly, if you have any oils in your marinade, or sugar in your dry-rub, be sure to use the ones that can endure higher temperatures or are applied to foods that don’t require extended cooking times. This will preserve the taste of your food, and reduce the risk of charred ingredients from bringing down your otherwise healthy meal!

To learn more, visit your local Natural Grocers and speak with your Nutritional Health Coach.

NOTHING IN THIS WEBSITE IS INTENDED AS, OR SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS, MEDICAL ADVICE. ANY HEALTHCARE AND/OR NUTRITIONAL MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS WEBSITE IS FOR CONSUMER INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. SUCH MATERIAL IS NOT INTENDED AS MEDICAL ADVICE FOR CONDITIONS OR TREATMENT, NOR IS IT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR A MEDICAL EXAMINATION BY A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. CONSUMERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS FOR INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL RECOMMENDATIONS