Grill Safely and Mindfully This Cookout Season

Summer is officially upon us and grilling season is well underway! Grilling can be a great way to enjoy good food and good weather, but it’s important to stay mindful of nutrition at cookouts and be safe when working the grill. Here’s how to build a balanced plate at your next cookout and promote grill safety. 

Mindful Grilling and Eating

Everyone loves a good cookout! Just remember to be mindful when grilling up your next meal or filling your plate at the family picnic. Here are some tips for balancing health and taste:

• Add some color. A juicy burger may be the first thing that comes to mind, but don’t forget to add some color to your meal with a variety of fruits and veggies. Drizzle some olive oil onto asparagus, zucchini and onions, add some spices and grill until they’re tender. Or, chop up some of your favorite fruits for a fruit salad.
• Sprinkle in your favorites. There’s room for foods like cheesy potatoes, pasta salad and brownies on a healthy plate! Focus on filling your plate with more whole foods than indulgent foods – but it’s OK to leave room for your favorite treats.
• Thinking about seconds? Before you fill a second plate, allow your food to digest for 10-20 minutes. You might change your mind. If not, keep portion sizes moderate and be mindful of when your stomach is full.

Food and Grill Safety

Don’t let a food or grill safety concern ruin your cookout. Follow these tips when firing up the grill for a successful summer:

• Marinate in the fridge. Always marinate food in the refrigerator, never on the kitchen counter or outdoors. Never reuse marinade.
• Clean your grilling surface. A step that is often skipped or forgotten when grilling is cleaning the grill before each use. Clean the grilling surface with hot, soapy water before each use.
• Grill food immediately after “partial cooking.” If you partially cook food to reduce grilling time, plan ahead so that you can immediately put the partially cooked meat on the hot grill. Use a meat thermometer to make sure that meats are cooked to their proper temperature.
• Don’t leave the grill unattended. Properly supervise your grill and make sure that everyone, including children and pets, stays away from the grill while in use.
• Refrigerate leftovers. Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours (or within an hour if it’s above 90 degrees outside). Grilled foods have about a three-day lifespan in the fridge, so be sure to eat them within that timeframe.
• Don’t reuse utensils. Using the same platter or utensil that came into contact with raw meat, poultry or seafood allows bacteria from raw food to spread to the cooked food. Keep clean, ready-to-use platters and utensils grill-side.