The summer cookout season is in full swing and a nutrition educator at the University of Illinois Extension is busting some myths around some of those popular food items that you may encounter or even prepare for your gatherings.

Caitlin Mellendorf is a nutrition educator at the U of I Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties and starts with a common myth around potato salad and why if you find yourself ill after a gather, perhaps it wasn't that potato salad that is the culprit.

According to Mellendorf, look to your carbohydrates or proteins as the reason you've fallen slightly or temporarily ill, and reminds to keep those foods chilled as much as possible.

Another myth Mellendorf addresses are the myth of using your hands or touch to determine if meat is done or ready to consume. She stresses this is not a good way to gauge the readiness of meat and implores the grill master to keep a thermometer handy.

Additionally, there can be myths about sun tea. Mellendorf explains some folks still like to set their tea out in the sun for preparation. Because of the possibility of bacteria getting in that tea while it is in the sun, she recommends boiling it first, then setting it out in the sun. 

Mellendorf says Extension is starting to work on its food preparation website and giving it a makeover. In the meantime, check out the tools they do have available by visiting extension.illinois.edu/dmp.