Are Barbecues Healthy?

Any excuse to fire the barbie up is great, we've been quite lucky with the weather and eating outside just feels so right.  But are barbecue's healthy, even though there isn't any real proof as yet some people believe that very char cooked burnt food done on the barbecue may potentially be carcinogenic.  And carcinogens are linked with some cancers.  I found an interesting read on the subject, click the link to read more: http://www.asiaone.com/Health/Eat+Right/Story/A1Story20080725-78749.html

My view - I read the above but it won't stop me from barbecuing my food, if anything I usually start things off in the oven and finish them on the barbie for that just done on the barbie smoky flavour. But some things we'll cook from scratch such as steak.

And as the link also states we come across carcinogens in the environment daily.  Many household cleaning products contain carcinogens, as does paint, solvents and adhesives.  Carcinogen chemicals are also often used in the manufacturing process of plastics, textiles, cosmetics, dyes and pesticides.

The most well known of carcinogens are cigarette smoking and over exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation (i.e sun beds).  I think I'd be more concerned with avoiding or limiting the latter two. 

So back to the the barbecue, the following is what we had on Saturday, and hopefully the weather will stay okay so we can get a couple more barbies in before Autumn is upon us.

Very thin minute steak
Mixed peppers
Spinach, rocket and red onion salad

Very quick and easy, the steak (protein, iron, zinc, creatine and alpha-lipoic acid) was seasoned with a little sea salt both sides, and was cooked for a minute each side then was kept warm while the peppers (fibre, Vitamins A, C and K, anti cancer antioxidant lycopene) were cut length wise and cooked also on the barbie.  Threw the spinach, rocket (protein, folates,Vitamin A, K, B2, B6, iron, calcium and loads more) and red onion (high in brain boosting quercetin, Vitamin C, manganese and fibre) together in a large bowl together with a touch of balsamic and extra virgin olive oil (high in polyphenols, best had at room temperature).

Easy, quick and very satisfying. 

Till next time, enjoy.
Amanda