Are your barbecues healthy?

To all the gourmands like me who are barbeque lovers, This post is especially for you. Are your barbecues healthy? Let’s find out. After learning the pros & cons of BBQ food, I have changed my style and turned my BBQ food healthier. And now, It’s your turn. Through this blog post, I will share all tips & tricks to make your BBQ delicious and more healthier.

About barbecue

Barbecue sometimes refers to a gathering or party where these types of food are cooked and served. However, Barbeque is also coined for the cooking method, where food is cooked in smoking heat using wood or charcoal and is primarily enjoyed outdoors for safety reasons.

Although barbecue is famous primarily for BBQ nonveg food, it’s not a rule that can be changed. Nowadays, at BBQ parties, all types of food are BBQ ranging from meats, seafood, poultry, cottage cheese, tofu, vegetables, and even fruits.

Some experts claim that” BBQ Non- veg” are already healthy, as it is less cooked, the nutrients remain intact, and there is less loss of nutrients compared to deep frying or complete cooking methods. But that’s not entirely true. Lots of Studies & research are being done and still going on to prove whether BBQ foods are healthier or less healthy than non-BBQ food.

So let’s find out Are your barbecues healthy?

Here are some essential points to enlighten you about BBQ food

According to some studies and research, it is likely that when we barbeque meat, then a chemical reaction happens over it. As per research, Meat contains the organic acid creatine, which helps supply the energy used by muscle cells. When the meat is cooked while BBQ, a chemical reaction turns creatine into a group of compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs). Some studies and researches have evidence that these compounds are carcinogenic and can cause cancer when consumed in high concentrations.
Also, as per the National Cancer Institute, chemicals responsible for cancer are developed when muscle meat is exposed to high heat, like smoking over charcoal or grilling. This meat includes red meat, pork, fish, and poultry.
A lump of smoke-licked meat that comes into contact with direct fire is said to have a high percentage of carcinogens. So you can say, “The more the piece of meat is charred, the more it’s dangerous” for your health.
Besides “Smoking Food,” BBQ foods are still dangerous as “they are half cooked or semi-cooked. “
It is proven by research that half-cooked meat is equally harmful to our health if consumed.

Is your barbecue food infected with bacteria?

According to the Centres for Disease Control, undercooked or raw meat and poultry can be contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as Campylobacter, E. Coli, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and Yersinia.
And as per Centres for Disease Control, when ingested, these bacteria can make you sick. And the significant symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and sometimes fever and other symptoms too. This can occur between 6 to 24 hrs after consuming semi-cooked meat, and the discomfort may last from a few minutes to 24 hours or more.

Well, this post is not to scare you of BBQ food but to make you all aware of how unhealthy it can be if not appropriately cooked and also to know that Are your barbecues healthy.

So now, after learning everything about BBQ food, should we stop enjoying our favorite Chicken tandoori Tikka or Prawan tikka? Should everyone stop enjoying their “Tikkas” and” Kebabs,” or should they stop organizing their favorite barbeque parties? “No,” Absolutely Not,” In fact, Through this post, I want to make you all aware of the harms of barbecue food “if not managed properly.”

But then the question persists Are your barbecues healthy? If No, How to Make a healthy version of our BBQ and enjoy it fully without guilt?

Ok…Ok, don’t get panicked, and have some patience, … I am just coming to the point.
Now, after reading up till here and mapping all the wrong things about BBQ food in your mind, I must clear the fog and make you all return to your comfort zones…

How to make your Barbeque healthy:

The first and most crucial point for BBQ lovers is to “Always choose lean meat,” It’s said that the more fat, the more it will drip on the charcoals and create smoke, which further coats your food and make it more carcinogenic.
The second important thing is Marination. Marination induces flavors in your meat and lowers the risk of HCA formation in the food.
The third and most important which usually all of us “Skip,” is pre-cooking the food. Always try to precook the meat before barbequing. It not only cuts your barbeque time, but your food is less exposed to high heat and smoke, which lowers the formation of HCA.

Here are some more points to add to make your BBQ food healthier

While barbecuing, always rotate the skewers in intervals. It not only helps in even cooking but also prevents the meat from getting more charred. And now we know that the more the meat is charred more the chances of getting it a carcinogen.
Clean the grill before cooking. The last leftover char from the previous cookout contains the highest percentage of chemicals, which we avoid.
After Barbequing, if your food is a bit more charred by mistake, try to scrape that part and avoid consuming it.
And last but not least, It is always best to grill veggies and fruits too. They are also too delectable after grilling.
And if you are a grand barbecue gourmand, I suggest cutting your BBQ food consumption from alternate days to a fortnight. If not possible, then even weekly will also work. Take a little time and substitute meat with grilled veggies. They really taste delicious. Trust me

Calories

1 serving(141 gm) – 162 cal

So… I just wrapped up here. Continue healthy barbequing with your family and friends. Keep tuned for more such informative posts. Stay Healthy, Stay Happy

Bon appétit