Here’s how to stay safe when getting your grill on
Plenty of us will be firing up the barbecue this summer, but are you always careful when cooking outdoors? Test yourself and learn how to make this fun feast healthier, prevent food poisoning and save cash.
THE QUIZ
Circle your answers, then see how you did.
1WHAT GOES ON YOUR GRILL?
A Meat, meat and more meat!
B Meat and fish
C Plant-based foods What’s best?
Meat can be nutritious, but we shouldn’t have too much. ‘Fatty cuts of red meat are very high in saturated fat,’ says nutritionist Rob Hobson, author of Unprocess Your Life (£18.99, PB, HarperCollins). Choose lean cuts and trim the fat or switch to poultry, which is rich in protein and low in saturated fat. Try plant-based alternatives, but check nutrition labels to ensure they’re low in saturated fat, salt and sugar. B or C are good picks. Fish is great – oily fish, especially, contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. ‘Mackerel and anchovies work brilliantly on a BBQ,’ says Rob. ‘They taste great with a spicy, fruity salsa or salsa verde.’
2HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR MEAT COOKED?
A Burnt to a crisp
B Started in the oven, then finished on the barbecue
C Lightly barbecued
What’s best?
Meat should be cooked all the way through to kill harmful bacteria, so if you answered B, that’s a good plan. Pre-cooking in the oven can help ensure meat (particularly pork and chicken) is cooked thoroughly. Just because it’s charred on the outside doesn’t mean it’s cooked on the inside, so check the juices run clear and the meat is piping hot throughout with no pink areas. Use a meat thermometer if you can. Try not to eat burnt meat – research suggests that doing so could raise your risk of cancer.
3WHAT DO YOU SERVE AS SIDES?
A White burger buns
B Relishes such as coleslaw and mayo
C Salad and corn on the cob
What’s best?
Well done if you answered C – you’ll be balancing meat with plenty of veg. Another way to eat more veggies is to load them on to skewers, so try adding peppers, red onion, courgette or plantain. Fruit works, too – for example, papaya and peaches go well with chicken skewers. ‘Pineapple contains a compound called bromelain which helps the digestion of protein, so include it with meat skewers,’ adds Rob.
More healthy swaps include switching white bread for wholemeal, and c
