Preparing Healthy Food At Home
The real trick to a healthy diet lies in food preparation and choosing the right ingredients. Here are a few tips to creating a healthy meal at home.
Vegetables are an essential part of any diet, but be sure to buy fresh when you can. Canned and preserved vegetables are commonly high in sodium and frozen vegetables packaged with sauces are often high in sodium and cholesterol. If you do buy frozen, get veggies that are plain and add your own seasoning.
Cooking vegetables the wrong way can break down the vitamins and nutrients in them. When it comes to vegetables quick is best. Steam or saute rather than boiling. The boiling process can breakdown B12 and other water-soluble vitamins.
The trick to a healthy meat dish is to choose cuts without a lot of fat. Select grade contains less fat than prime or choice and beef and pork cuts with "loin" or "round" are leaner than other cuts. Once in the kitchen, cut off the visible fat. Skinless chicken and fish can provide a healthy source of protein as well.
When cooking at home, you should be mindful of healthy substitutions you can make to your favorite recipes. Substituting lowfat yogurt or sour cream can create a healthier option for dips and dressings, while skim milk can make creamy sauces less fattening.
If the recipe calls for eggs, you can substitute two egg whites for each whole egg to reduce the cholesterol and fat content. If you are baking, try applesauce as a healthier alternative to lard or shortening - one cup of applesauce for one cup of lard.
