Summer cookout tips to help you avoid cancer

Grilling red meat, poultry and fish can create cancer-causing carcinogens called heterocyclic amines, also called HCAs. Robin Miller, MD, explains how you can reduce your risk of HCAs.

Transcript

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Hi. This is Dr. Miller with a tip to keep your summer cookouts healthy. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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Did you know that cooking foods over sizzling heat forms cancer-causing carcinogens called heterocyclic amines,

00:13

also called HCAs? We're talking about foods that contain muscle. That's red meat, poultry, and fish too.

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As much as we love our barbecue, the fact is that high consumption of barbecued, well-done meats is linked to increased risk of prostate

00:27

cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. You can easily make grilling healthy and tasty by using

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these barbecuing tips. They all taste so great, you may decide to skip the meat and the cancer dangers. Use a marinade every time.

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If you can't resist grilling meat, poultry, and fish, marinate them first in olive oil, garlic, onion, and lemon juice.

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It lowers the amount of carcinogens. Keep the heat low, cooking time short. Partially cook foods in the kitchen beforehand,

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so all you need is a quick finish on the grill for terrific grill flavor and far fewer HCAs. Ditch the charred bits.

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Reduce charring by trimming fat and lining the grill with foil. It keeps cancer-causing smoke flare-ups to a minimum.

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Happy grilling. And check out more smart tips to live your healthiest life. [AUDIO LOGO]