8 Secrets to Cooking Healthier

Eating healthy today is a little harder than it was 50 years ago with abundance of restaurants, fast food chains, and a lot of processed groceries you can buy in the supermarket, but if you’re determined to change your dietary habits and start cooking healthy and nutritious meals at home, it actually doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are eight little secrets you can implement in your cooking to make it healthier.  

Make it colorful 

You don’t have to get some exotic ingredients and super complicated recipes to make your cooking more colorful. You can add color to your plate by baking, grilling or sautéing different kinds of veggies and each will bring new flavors and vitamins to the table. Think red onions, mushrooms, red and yellow peppers, tomatoes, squash, broccoli and spinach and it’s very easy to implement them in your daily cooking. 

Be careful with oils 

Just because olive oil and sesame seed oil are healthier than vegetable oil, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to watch how much you put in it. Every time you cook you can try to add as little as possible. You need to use oil to prevent food from sticking to the pan, but you only need a small amount for that. For instance, veggies usually contain a lot of water that will help you cook them perfectly even with just a few drops of oil. 

Spice things up with seasoning 

The secret to tasty cooking is often in seasoning. You can prepare healthy meals that will be super delicious when you season them properly. Even foods that you don’t like can get a completely different taste with good seasoning. Just be sure to avoid putting too much salt, because it can lead to high blood pressure. 

Get rid of the fat 

There are many ways you can strip unnecessary fat from the meat. You can drain ground beef after sautéing or cut the excess fat off the steak or chicken after cooking. Make sure to keep the fat on the meat while preparing, because it helps the precious juices and flavor stay inside. 

Take it easy with the condiments 

Eliminating condiments from your cooking is a fast and easy way to eat healthier. Every time you put mayo or ketchup on your sandwich you add about 150 unnecessary calories to it. Even though you’ll need to sacrifice some of the taste, you will certainly eat healthier. You can also go easy on salad dressings, cheese, cream-based dips and maple syrup. 

Do your research 

Today it’s very easy to find some healthy recipes. There are numerous websites and blogs that concentrate on healthy foods and cooking, so you can always browse them for inspiration. 

It’s not all about the meat

Even though meat is a great source of protein, it contains a lot of saturated fat. It’s best if you occasionally eat smaller amounts of chicken, fish and lean meat, and fill up your plate with low-cal and healthy veggies and whole grains. Even if you’re hosting a party, you can opt for meat-free versions, because today, there are many companies that deal in healthy catering where you can order some low-cal salads, sushi or healthy bites. Your guests will not even notice there’s no beef when you serve them some tasty and healthy alternatives. 

Control your portions 

It would be nice if we could eat as many healthy and low-calorie foods as we wanted and still stay healthy and fit, but unfortunately, that’s not true. You still need to control your portions a little and watch out for your calorie intake, but if you choose the right foods you don’t have to be that disciplined. 

Cooking healthier is essential for maintaining overall well-being and preventing chronic diseases. By preparing meals with nutritious ingredients and mindful cooking techniques, individuals can control their intake of unhealthy fats, sugars, and additives, promoting better weight management and improved energy levels. Moreover, cooking healthier fosters a deeper connection with food, enhancing appreciation for fresh, whole ingredients and empowering individuals to make informed dietary choices that support long-term health and vitality. Healthy cooking can be very easy, so grab a pan and a chopping knife and get cooking! Bon appétit!