Although summer seems to be drawing to a chilly end, BBQ season is still on! When looking at food and lifestyle I find that BBQs have so much to offer in terms of the variety of foods that we can cook as well as the health benefits they provide.
Lifestyle and stress reliever
With our summers tending to be on the shorter side of the season, I find that barbecuing is a great way to be able to spend more time outside, sharing simple meals with family and friends. It also keeps you away from a hot oven and the kitchen stays clean and tidy with everything else happening in the backyard. Many people find that cooking outside is a great stress reliever, as it gets us outside and allows us time to be surrounded by nature, relax, and enjoy this time after a day's work.
Variety of foods
When people think of BBQs our minds often turn to burgers and buns, but BBQs are so much more. Barbecuing a combination of vegetables and even adding fruit, not only tastes delicious but can give you a real vacation vibe right in your backyard! Meats are an obvious choice however, barbecuing fish is another source of protein that is delicious, especially when combined with grilled vegetables. This makes for a satisfying meal, without the bloat.
It is also an opportunity to try out some simple marinades which will just add so much flavour to your food, these are also quick and easy to make and will certainly add flavour to any of your grilled dishes.
BBQs are quick and easy with very little cleanup, they're like a one pan dish in the oven but in your backyard instead, with the bonus that food just tastes so much better when cooked outside! When it comes to barbecuing it's the perfect opportunity to try out new ideas as the sky is the limit for the combinations we can muster up.
Health Benefits
When cooking meat in the pan we use oils that are partially absorbed into the meat creating a higher fat content. However, when meat is grilled, no oil is needed and as it is directly exposed to much higher temperatures, this results in a leaner cut of meat, that is beneficial for those who are trying to reduce their intake of saturated fat and lower their LDL's. Proteins such as meat or fish are great for helping us stay fuller for longer and balance out our blood sugar levels.
We also know that grilling vegetables such as broccoli as shown in this study helps to retain their Vitamin C content, meaning more is available for us to absorb and use.
We know that consistent fibre intake through fruits and vegetables promotes gut health, boosts our immune system, and helps to keep things moving on the other end. Not only that but the insoluble fibre (the fibre the body can't absorb) will soak up any excess saturated fat, again a simple way of keeping cholesterol levels in check.
So, let's keep our BBQs going and enjoy everything that it has to offer while relaxing in the backyard, soaking in the last weeks of summer sun.
Susan is originally from Switzerland where she met her Canadian husband whilst working at a global agribusiness company in Geneva. She then studied at the University of Brighton (U.K.) where she received her Nursing Diploma. When their daughter was diagnosed as being gluten and dairy intolerant, Susan decided to take a new approach to health and trained as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, with the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, where she graduated in 2016.
