Grill Healthier to Reduce Cancer Risk

According to the American Cancer Society, if we grill healthier we can limit our risk of exposure to potentially cancer causing HAs.

HAs or heterocyclic amines are chemicals created when meats are cooked at very high temperatures. HAs can be found in grilled, barbequed, broiled and pan-fried meats.

To limit our exposure to HAs, the American Cancer Society suggests these healthier barbequing tips.

1. Choose lean cuts of meat and trim any excess fat. Fat dripping onto hot coals causes smoke that contains potential carcinogens. Less fat means less smoke.

2. Line the grill with foil and poke small holes in it so the fat can still drip off but the amount of smoke coming back onto the meat is lower.

3. Avoid charring meat or eating parts that are especially burned and black-they have the highest concentrations of HAs.

4. Add colorful vegetables and fruit to the grill. Many of the chemicals that are created when meat is grilled are not formed during the grilling of vegetables or fruits, so you can enjoy grilled flavor worry-free. Red, yellow and green peppers, yellow squash, mushrooms, red onions and pineapple all grill well and make healthy additions to your plate.

So we can still barbeque, America. We just have to remember to grill healthier to reduce our risk of cancer.

2009 Don’t Fry Day-May 22

Celebrate the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention’s first annual “Don’t Fry Day”, May 22, 2009.

We all like to be out and about in the sun but there are some sensible precautions we should take to ensure our outings are healthy.

1.  Cover up

2.  Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher

3.  Wear a hat

4.  Wear sunglasses that block UV rays

5.  Limit direct sun exposure during midday

6.  Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Since much of this exposure comes from the sun, and with more than 1 million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the United States, using all of these tips together will give you the best protection.  

The American Cancer Society is co-sponsor of the 2009  ”Don’t Fry Day”, May, 22.