Healthy Cooking Methods - How To Cook Healthy Meals
In today's world of fast food and other unhealthy, quick meal alternatives, it can seem tough to find the time to eat healthy. In reality, eating healthy is quite simple, especially when you prepare and cook meals on your own. Not only will it save you money, but it could also save your health by avoiding those high calorie convenience foods.
How to Cook Healthy Meals
You don't need to be a world-class chef to make amazing, healthy meals for you and your family. And, with a variety of healthy cooking methods to choose from, you'll be able to create a large number of healthy dishes that everyone can enjoy!
The overall process of cooking healthy meals is centered on preparing food without excessive amounts of sodium and fat. When done properly, you won't have to worry about losing any flavor (which is half the reason many people skip healthy cooking and opt for foods high in sodium and fat instead). Plus, if you want to lose weight or maintain weight loss, you'll need to adopt these eating habits now, not later.
Healthy Cooking Methods
Now that you understand the benefits of preparing healthy meals, take a look below at several different healthy cooking methods that you can use to make healthy versions of your favorite foods.
#1 – Cooking with Steam
The process of steaming foods has been used for years to cook various foods. Vegetables are typically cooked using steam, as it helps them retain most of the essential nutrients (unlike other cooking processes that zap most of the nutrients out of them, which deteriorate their health benefits). Plus, it's one of the easiest cooking methods, requiring very little effort.
To properly steam cook vegetables (or any other foods that can be cooked with steam), purchase a basket with perforations to hold them in. With a pot of boiling water on the stove, place the basket on top, allowing the steam from the boiling water to rise. You can also add seasoning to the water and/or the vegetables themselves for added flavor. The end result: fresh, wonderful tasting vegetables that melt in your mouth.
#2 – Grilling
Who knew that firing up that old gas or charcoal grill would be a healthy way to prepare food? When we think of grilling, we tend to associate it with burgers, brats, hot dogs and other “ballpark foods” that are served in the summer; however, you can turn your grill into the ultimate healthy cooking machine!
To get the most health benefits out of your grill, cooking foods low in fat (such as turkey, chicken and pork) are a good place to start. Cut off any excess fat before seasoning the meat and placing it on the grill (any other additional fat may also drip from the food while cooking). Be careful not to overcook your meat, as it can result in “charring”, which can have adverse affects on your health over time.
When grilling, you're truly not limited to what you can cook. Try experimenting with veggies and other foods for another unique healthy cooking experience!
#3 – Stir Fry
Believe it or not, stir frying is a great healthy cooking method. The reason – while it does require cooking oil, the amount is incredibly small and not excessive. Plus, you can mix in a little water to decrease the amount of oil you need to use.
Stir fry is an excellent way to prepare authentic Chinese dishes or a tasty meal of veggies. Plus, vegetables will still retain all of their nutrients, as they are only cooked for a small period of time (due to the high heat). If you plan to cook meat along with your dish, consider preparing it in a separate pan, as this will help cut down on any excessive fat. Once mixed together, add in any spices or seasonings, resulting in a flavorful meal that satisfied you and your body!
#4 – Baking and Roasting
One of the most popular healthy cooking methods is baking and roasting. The major difference between the two is that roasting is typically done at a higher temperature and is primarily used for most meats, seafood, poultry and vegetables.
When roasting foods, many people use a basting to bring out the flavor. Rather than using oils and other high fat dressings for basting, use natural juices (such as lemon or lime) for the best result. Keep any meat separated from any roasting vegetables, as it will prevent any fat dripping from soaking directly onto them. This will allow you to create amazingly healthy dishes that still have all of their lustful flavors intact.
Baking and roasting are more efficient when using a toaster oven, as they are more convenient and require less energy than regular ovens. If you are interested in acquiring one, there are many reviews to read on the internet. These reviews will help you to find the best product according to your needs.
#5 – Poaching
Another excellent healthy cooking method is known as poaching. It's generally used for most poultry, as well as eggs and fish. To pull it off, it requires nothing more than placing your food directly in hot, simmering (not boiling) water that is just enough to cook your food all the way through. Use this method to cook stunning poached eggs – a popular and tasty dish that's also incredibly healthy!
Use These Methods for a Healthier Lifestyle
Next time you want to cook with your health in mind, adopt some of these healthy cooking methods in the kitchen. You'll be amazed at how many delightful (and tasty) dishes you can create. Get in the habit now for a healthier, better you tomorrow!
