Grilling For Goodness!

Grilling offers an enjoyable way to welcome a healthier, nutrient-rich and flavourful cooking option

Gas or charcoal, vegetables or meat, for health or weight loss, on a summer picnic or a winter backyard lunch, Grilling takes home the trophy! With promises to stay uncompromising on the flavour and aroma of your entrees, this original American tradition of cooking has populated half the world. Grilling can be a fun activity providing the freedom to experiment on different kinds of food and offers an abundance of health benefits.
 
Grilling can utilize any of the major heat sources like charcoal, gas, electricity or wood. The fuel determines the characteristic taste of your grilled delectables! Many believe that charcoal cooking can release carcinogenic substances into the food being cooked on it and hence is recommended to be used sparingly or atleast for a shorter duration.

The greatest benefit we can derive from grilling is the positive impact on the nutritive value of food. Since there is no deep frying or boiling, vegetables can retain their vitamin and mineral compositions to a greater extent and are less likely to get dehydrated. The more weight-conscious ones have an added advantage; not only does grilling eliminate the use of butter or oil for cooking, but also causes excess fats or oils intrinsic to the meat, to drip away, dishing out a healthier option on your plates. And a platter of grilled fish/meat/cottage cheese/protein source with vegetables along with your required portion of carbs can undeniably be placed right on the top of your best weight loss food list.

Say Bingo to the Barbecue!
Barbecuing is also a great way to retain the health quotient of your groceries; the only difference being that barbecuing does not allow your food to come in direct contact with the heat source (charcoal or the flame) while grilling is a contact-cooking procedure.

Grilling and barbecuing can be a great option to dice some sides and starters for your get-togethers too. Feel free to trash down those conventional deep-fried baby corns, meat nuggets and drizzling potato wedges and place the succulent seasonal veggies and lean meat on the grill as you snap open your beer can or toast the champagne.

Grilling offers you the freedom to experiment on spices, condiments, sauces and dressings. A marinade of practically anything can be used for grilling. The unique texture and taste a grill provides can compliment beautifully, the flavours of your choice of seasoning. Not just for outdoors and parties, grilling can be made a practice for everyday life. It may take a few weeks before you get accustomed to the whats and hows of it but once you do, it can prove to be a fantastic lifestyle option.
 
Dieticians and nutritionists strongly recommend grilling or barbecuing meals and snacks for weight loss as well as maintenance. The diversity of vegetables and meat that can be cooked is incredible. From kababs to mushroom, corn, marinated aubergines, asparagus, breads, jacket potatoes and surprisingly even desserts, the list on the platter goes endless. Although grilling and barbecuing are the healthiest ways to prepare your meal, some crucial aspects have to be paid attention to. The quintessential dilemma of every grill-lover “WHAT and HOW MUCH of grilled stuff can be stomached down?” lurks nevertheless. Just because something is healthy does not always mean it can be consumed ad libitum!

Following a few simple tips can make your grilling experience more nutritionally fulfilling:

• Stick to the portion-size rules. Don't stuff it in; be mindful while eating.
  
• Grilling potatoes, pasta, etc. is a great way to spruce up your carbs, but keep your measures in mind before laying the plate for yourself. Don’t overdo with starch.
  
• Eating grilled chicken is healthy. But eating a pound of it is definitely NOT. Again, portion control. Cloak in lean meat like chicken and fish instead of beef or pork.
  
• Fill half your plate up with vegetables. Leave no extra room for the temptations!
  
• Use tin foils to wrap and moisture lock meat and veggies, especially those with low water content.
  

Grilling and barbecuing can be a fun way to bring in healthy recipes as part of your daily nutritional needs without bargaining for taste and indeed add that extra zing to festivities. So pull out your grillers and tandoors, sip on your wine while your fodder soaks and sizzles away to health and goodness!