The heat, smell and smoke of a grill are some of the most welcome signs of summer. But that aromatic food can come with a side of toxic chemicals.

What can you do to avoid this unnecessary exposure?

When planning your menu, think about the main courses first: will it be steak, burgers, hot dogs? Natural or organic? Whatever you serve, try to choose what is healthiest for you and the environment.

Grilling options

In the US, meat consumption is high and continues to grow.

But consume less animal proteins is good for the environment, and not just because meat and poultry production emit greenhouse gases that exacerbate the climate crisis. It also helps address the noxious stench of industrial agriculture, with its massive manure pollution that, if poorly managed – or not managed at all – pollutes our air and drinking water.

A barbecue in warmer weather is one way to eat less meat – even with just some well-seasoned, marinated and grilled tofu.

Burgers and hot dogs

Are you looking for animal proteins with a low carbon footprint? Chicken and fish are less harmful to the environment than beef.

For some people, however, a barbecue isn’t a real barbecue without traditional hamburgers and hot dogs.

But it’s hard to say which one has fewer chemicals. If you’re mostly concerned about your health, not the climate, go for a burger. It probably has less sodium and less chemicals then a hot dog.

Look after misleading climate claims on meat packaging, such as ‘low carbon’. Food Scores can help you find a better burger.

Frankfurter sausages may be the quintessential barbecue food, but some contain nitrate or nitriteused to color and preserve meat and give it a smoky flavor. And they can form nitrosamines in the human body, which can cause cancer.

Hot dogs from smaller companies may also contain artificial food dyes, such as Red Dye No. 40, which have been linked to potential health risks.

So you might want to consider eating “natural” or organic beef or hot dogs instead. Natural foods don’t contain artificial ingredients and are minimally processed, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And they don’t use synthetic nitrates or nitrites as their curing agents.

Biological meat goes a step further. Organic hot dogs are produced without synthetic nitrite preservatives, antibiotics, or growth hormones. Instead, they are raised on vegetarian, organic feed that is grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Like organic beef, they are the most environmentally friendly option.

Whichever animal protein you choose, study the ingredients carefully and avoid products that contain sodium or potassium nitrates and nitrites.

Hot dogs in particular are best as an occasional treat, rather than a dietary staple. Check out EWG’s Food Scores or Healthy Living app to quickly find the best-rated frankfurters. These tools allow you to quickly scan labels in the store and find products that are free of worrying food additives.

Use EWGs Quick Tips to Reduce the Climate Footprint of Your Diet to choose climate-friendly protein alternatives,

Other grilling options

Many other foods grill well, such as spring onions, red onions, bell peppers, eggplant, squash, portobello mushrooms, and corn on the cob. There are also some that could surprise youincluded:

• Cauliflower
• Halloumi cheese
• Avocado
• Sweet potato wedges
• Watermelon and peaches
• Flatbread

You can even roast a normal sized carrot – not a mini – slowly, over low heat. Sprinkle with cumin and eat on a bun with some well-seasoned cabbage.

What should you put on top?

Also, be careful what you put on your protein. Condiments can be full of chemicals:

• Sweet pickle relish may contain artificial food colorings, which have been linked to a wide range of health harms, including vulnerability to behavioral problems and cancer. It may also contain artificial or natural flavors, which may also contain preservatives, solvents, and other toxic chemicals. Sugar is often the second ingredient, accounting for 25 percent or more of the product by weight.
• Mayonnaise can contain potentially dangerous chemicals, so as with most foods, it is best to choose the variety with the fewest ingredients.
• Some brands of Ketchup can rely on the mysterious ingredient “flavor”, lots of sugar and even artificial coloring.
• Mustard is a better choice as a flavoring: it is easier to find without added chemicals and sugar.

And for dessert, ice cream and popsicles those made without food chemicals are a good choice.

Other ways to barbecue safely and enjoyably

To avoid inconvenience during your outdoor summer party:

• Plan your barbecue around the sun: late afternoon or evening is better than around noon, when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
• Apply enough sunscreen and apply it often enough. Consult EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens to find the best one for you. You may even find some that are EWG Verified® seal of approvalwhich recognizes products that meet EWG’s strictest standards for your health.
• Worried about bugs? Use EWG’s Guide to Insect Repellents to choose one that is suitable for the insects in your area, as insects vary by region.

To get yourself and your guests in the mood, play some fun music that fits the season. Think of one of the many summer playlists on Spotify or a playlist that you create yourself.

To complete the summer atmosphere, you can set up games such as croquet or boulesif you are lucky enough to have a patch of grass to play on. Or try a game of toss boomerang that glows in the dark.