|
 |
|
Healthy Cooking Methods For Healthy EatingHealthy cooking is about preparing your meals without excessive fat or salt, without sacrificing flavour. The cooking methods and cooking techiniques you use are essential for healthy eating and weight management.
Tips for Healthy CookingHow you cook you food is just as important as what you eat, when you are trying to adopt healthy eating habits. You can prepare your favourite recipes using basic cooking methods that use less fat than traditional approaches. Even making minor changes to your cooking methods will go a long way to help you achieve your weight management goals. The healthy cooking methods described below are a better option than eating fried food, and retain the nutrients better, as well as the flavour.
Steam
Light steaming is a healthy cooking method, and is very well suited for cooking vegetables. Steaming retains the nutritents of food very well,
and is an easy way of cooking. Simply place the food in a perforated basket and suspend above simmering water. You can add seasonings to
the water to flavour the food as it cooks.
Stir-Fry
Stir-frying is a healthy cooking method as it only requires a little oil, and as the vegetables are cooked for a very short period, they retain
their nutrients as well as texture, flavour and colour. As, oils are oxidised when heated to a very high temperature, releasing free radicles that are unhealthy, a better way to
stir fry is to first add a little water to the pan, then add a little oil, followed by seasoning such as ginger. If the recipe has meat, stir fry
this first and remove from the wok, before stir frying the vegetables. Stir-frying is a good opportunity to get your daily recommended vegetables.
Grill
Grilling is a method that is good for preparing low fat healthy meals, but care needs to be taken not to char the meat, as charring has been linked to
an increased risk of some cancers. Grilling adds a delicious smoky flavour to food and can be used for a range of food, including meat,
vegetables and seafood. Trim excess fat and limit the amount of oil you add. Marinate meats before grilling and allow the fat to drip
away from the food as it cooks.
Roast and Bake
Roasting is similar to baking food, but is usually done at higher temperatures. Roasting is good for meat, poultry, seafood and vegetables.
To keep your roast as healthy as possible, lightly coat the food with olive oil and put a rack in the roasting pan so that the fat can drip
away from the food. Use fat free liquids like lemon juice to baste the food instead of the pan drippings, when cooking. Roast vegetables are a delicious way
to include more vegetables in your diet, but remember to roast the vegetables in a separate pan if you are having them with meat, so that the
fat from the meat does not end up soaked in the vegetables.
Poach
Poaching involves gently simmering food in water or a flavourful liquid till it is cooked through. Remember to not let the liquid boil.
It is a healthy method of cooking foods that are naturally tender such as eggs, fruits, chicken and fish. Try poached eggs for a healthy and instant way of adding protein to a meal.
The Dangers of Deep Fried FoodDeep fried foods are one of the most unhealthy types of food you can eat, and should be avoided. Most deep fried food contains saturated fats and trans-fats which contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition, when oil is heated to high temperatures, or is over used, it forms a toxic compund called acrylamide which is a known carcinogen and neurotoxin. Foods such as french fries and potato chips contain high levels of acrylamide. Another reason to avoid deep fried food is that it is high in calories, and can lead to weight gain if eaten regularly. So, to stay healthy, stick to food that is prepared using healthy cooking methods.
Return to Healthy Eating from Healthy Cooking
|
Do you want to live healthier and longer?
Yes? Then sign up for our free Kick Start Diet and empower yourself with the knowledge and motivation you need. Start your journey today to protect yourself from disease and manage your weight forever! When you sign up, you will be able to download our Weight Loss Starter Pack on Day 1 of the Diet Plan.
Low Fat Cooking Tips
|
|
|
|
||
|
| Homepage | Eating Guidelines | Food Pyramid |
Healthy Foods | Lose Weight | Meal Plans |
Easy Recipes
| Health Supplements | Healthy Diets | Terms and Conditions |Feedback |Subscribe | Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for reference purposes only, and is not intended as medical or professional advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before commencing a diet or exercise program |
||
|
| ||