Grilling Season: Food Safety, Hearing Health and Managing Diabetes

As the weather warms up, it’s time to fire up the grill and enjoy outdoor activities with friends. However, food safety should always be a top priority, especially when it comes to meat. Registered dietitian & nutritionist Carly Zimmer from OSF HealthCare emphasizes the importance of properly thawing meat to prevent food-borne illnesses. Thawing meat on the bottom shelf of the fridge takes about 24 hours, while thawing in cold water takes around one hour for a 1 lb. package of meat. Alternatively, you can use a microwave to thaw meat following the instructions on the packaging for safety.

According to Zimmer, it is crucial to prevent food from staying in the temperature danger zone of 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit where bacteria can rapidly grow. Therefore, it is essential to wash anything that comes into contact with raw meat immediately and not leave food out for more than two hours.

While enjoying barbecues and picnics with friends, people living with diabetes should be aware of their hearing health as well. Dr. Chris Workman, an audiologist at OSF HealthCare explains that individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to experience hearing loss due to high blood sugar levels that can impact blood flow to the inner ear and damage hair cells.

On the other hand, low blood sugar levels can affect hearing transmission by damaging nerves. Over the past decade, Dr. Workman has observed an increase in patients with diabetes seeking treatment for hearing loss due to this condition.

To better manage their condition and avoid any potential health risks associated with hearing loss, Dr. Workman recommends that individuals with diabetes undergo an annual hearing test and maintain a healthy diet while exercising regularly and adhering to medication schedules.

In conclusion, grilling season is here, but food safety should always come first. It’s important to properly thaw meat and ensure that it stays below 140 degrees Fahrenheit at all times while washing anything that comes into contact with raw meat immediately after use.

Additionally, individuals living with diabetes should be aware of their hearing health and take necessary steps such as annual hearing tests and maintaining a healthy lifestyle habits like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and taking medications on schedule along with managing their blood sugar levels to avoid any potential health risks associated with hearing loss.