Many Americans will be cooking outdoors as the weather heats up and with that comes a number of health concerns, including foodborne illnesses.

According to Barbara Melendi, a dietitian at Advocate Health Care, there are six things you can do to make sure you get that grilled taste of summer while still staying healthy.

1. Marinate meats

Marinating your meats is not only tasty, it’s good for your health, too. Marinating your steak can reduce the amount of carcinogenic compounds, chemicals formed when meat is charred. Homemade marinades with spices, like rosemary and thyme, are easy and allow you to control the amount of sodium and sugar they contain. Plus, these spices contain natural antioxidants, which boost your immune system and combat the cancer-causing carcinogens in the meat.

2. Lower the heat

Using a slow burn on low heat will avoid charring your grilled foods. Though many say the charring adds flavor, the burnt portions contain carcinogens and other compounds that could lead to cancer down the road. In this case, you want to avoid the burn. If you do happen to burn a bit around the edges, she advises trimming that portion before eating.

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