There are a lot of reasons to use the grill for your dinner. Grilling provides a unique taste that people love and it’s also fun to cook your meal outdoors.
When cooking outdoors people are generally more active and that means socializing in the backyard while the grill is cooking. Kids can be playing and getting their exercise, while also having fun.
Did you know that grilling can be a really healthy way to cook? Here are five reasons you should consider cooking on the grill all year long if you’re able to:
1. Less Fat
Because of the way the grill is made, all the fat that comes off from the meat will liquefy and drip down. This means, all of that fat which the meat normally cooks in, is filtered away from the food.
Don’t forget to look for the leanest cuts available when eating a healthy diet. Even though the meat has less fat when it is cooked on the grill, that doesn’t mean you should buy the fattiest piece, as this won’t deliver the health benefits you’re expecting.
2. Vegetables Retain Minerals and Vitamins
Another thing to keep in mind with grilling, is that vegetables have the ability to retain more of their vitamins and nutrients when they are cooked slower.
When you try to rapidly cook your meals with vegetables in them, a lot of those nutrients are cooked away due to the speed at which you are preparing the meals. This is very common with vegetable dishes that are microwaved, sautéed, or baked.
On a grill, the cooking process takes longer, so you end up with a healthier meal by the end of it.
3. Use Less Butter
Think of the fact that when you grill your food, you are getting enough grease naturally off your meats and vegetables, plus plenty of natural seasonings. This means butter is rarely necessary.
This is going to make your food healthier when you are grilling, since butter adds a lot of saturated fat.
4. Fun to Experiment with Fruits & Vegetables
It can also be a lot of fun making more interesting vegetable dishes when you are using a barbecue grill. Aside from the standard produce that is often grilled, such as corn on the cob and potatoes, think a little outside the box.
For example, you might want to grill up fruit like peaches, pineapple, and mango slices. You can throw just about any vegetable you like on the grill, such as zucchini and other squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.
5. Healthier Meat Tastes Great
Since you are not using as much butter or sauces on the grill, you are getting delicious meat that is also better for you! With the grill, all you really need is some seasoning and herbs, and maybe a very light marinade.
These are just 5 reasons to grill for a healthier diet. Grilling is super quick and easy too, so if you’re looking to reduce effort, as well as eat healthier, grilling is definitely worth doing.