Making healthier choices while grilling has never been easier! Staying healthy can be a challenge, but Kroger has some healthy tips that you can use this summer when it comes to grilling out.
Jeremiah Clem explains that when grilling ground meats, one of the most important things you can bring to grill with you is a thermometer. It will make life a lot easier and make you more confident with your grilling skills! Use your thermometer and make sure that ground meat gets to 160 degrees.
Chicken is another great healthy option, and should be cooked to at least 165 degrees. Simple Truth chicken breasts are the best of the best when it comes to natural options. It’s a vegetable-fed diet, raised cage-free, and it’s 99% fat-free. Plus, Simple Truth products are free from 101 artificial ingredients!
Another great option is to stop by the seafood department. Atlantic salmon filets are high in Omega 3s and they are easy to cook – 145 degrees is where you want to be to get to the optimal eating experience.
Shrimp is another great seafood option – about 100 calories per 3 ounces.
To find your local Kroger store, visit Kroger.com or download the Kroger app.
Here are some other great healthy cooking reminders from the FDA:
Wash hands.
It seems basic, but not everyone does it. Wash hands well and often, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before cooking or eating. If you’re in an outdoor setting with no bathroom, use a water jug, some soap, and paper towels. Consider carrying moist disposable towelettes for cleaning your hands.
Keep raw food separate from cooked food.
Don’t use a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood for anything else unless the plate has first been washed in hot, soapy water. Keep utensils and surfaces clean.
Marinate food in the refrigerator, not out on the counter.
And if you want to use some of the marinade as a sauce on the cooked food, reserve a separate portion. Don’t reuse marinade that contained raw meat.
Cook food thoroughly.
To kill any harmful bacteria that may be present, use a food thermometer. Hamburgers should be cooked to 160°F. If a thermometer is not available, make sure hamburgers are brown all the way through, not pink. Chicken should be cooked to at least 165°F. If you partially cook food in the microwave, oven or stove to reduce grilling time, do so immediately before the food goes on the hot grill.
Refrigerate and freeze food promptly.
It can be hard to remember while a party is going on, but food should not be left out of the cooler or off the grill for more than two hours. Never leave food out for more than one hour when the temperature is above 90°F.
Keep hot food hot.
Hot food should be kept at or above 140°F. Hot food should be wrapped well and placed in an insulated container. If bringing hot take-out food such as fried chicken or barbecue to an outdoor party, eat it within two hours of purchase. In addition to bringing a grill and fuel for cooking to an outdoor location, remember to pack a food thermometer to check that your meat and poultry reach a safe internal temperature. When re-heating food at the outing, be sure it reaches 165°F.
Keep cold food cold.
Cold food should be held at or below 40°F. Foods like chicken salad and desserts that are in individual serving dishes can be placed directly on ice or in a shallow container set in a deep pan filled with ice. Drain off water as ice melts and replace ice frequently.
