The average person is obsessed with their health nowadays, and there is a good reason. Overeating junk food, as everyone knows, can lead to diseases of the heart as well as diabetes. Considering heart disease is the leading cause of death in the western world, it isn’t something to take lightly. The problem is making a proactive change because we all love meals. The idea of eating rabbit food for the rest of days is a sure-fire way of quitting a diet.
The key is to find a way, or ways, to eat healthier without taking away any taste. It isn’t easy, but it is possible with the following tips. Here are the seven cooking secrets for healthier meals everyone should know.
Bon appetit!
Season To Taste
Thanks to chefs such as Jamie Oliver, a British TV personality, it is tempting to think salt is the devil. Yes, too much of the white stuff can lead to problems. And yes, there is a lot of salt in food already. Still, saying it is terrible for you and needs cutting from a diet is nonsense. As long as the diet includes it in moderation, there should be zero harmful side-effects. The same goes for pepper, although it may be too hot to handle! A simple pasta dish takes on ten times as much flavor with a sprinkle of sea salt. A fantastic tip is to either add it during cooking or after. Don’t do both because the level of salt will double. Also, taste the food before you reach for the shaker!
Go Unrefined
Usually, something unrefined isn’t as good as the refined version, but grains are different. In truth, grain has a significant role to play in the majority of diets. Let’s face it – everyone loves a slice of bread. Unfortunately, the refined stuff isn’t as healthy and doesn’t have the same benefits. For example, whole wheat bread has everything from fiber, B vitamins and magnesium. The great thing about adding fiber to your diet is the effect on the stomach. Because it’s stodgy and difficult to break down, the gut feels fuller for longer. So, the stomach doesn’t need to tell the brain it’s hungry and there is no reason to eat unnecessarily.
Brown Over White
Sticking with grain and wheat for a moment, always eat brown over white. Yes, white is thicker and more appealing, but it’s unnatural. Therefore, it has lots of unhealthy nutrients and chemicals which aren’t beneficial. White pasta is a prime example. Not only does it have fewer good-for-you nutrients, but it also contains simple and complex sugars. Along with salt, sugar is a food source which you need to tame as much as possible. Also, an added effect is the onset of hunger. White bread, pasta et al. isn’t as satisfying because it doesn’t contain as much fiber. So, the body can break it down quicker, which leads to hunger pangs.
Eat “Good” Oils
Simply put, the majority of oils in their normal state are healthy. It’s this reason why the people of the Mediterranean eat lots and live longer. The issues start when oil is added to a pan and fried. Then, a process takes place which adds saturates and makes the oil fatty and unhealthy. Steaming or oven-cooking food is an option, yet not as tasty. However, you can still fry food the standard way as long as the oil is different. Instead of extra virgin or virgin, try rapeseed or Virgin Coconut Oil Bali. When they get added to the pan, they don’t turn and maintain their natural nutrients. One thing you should do is stop cooking with butter. It’s delicious but an artery buster at the same time.
Don’t Use Oil
Is it possible to fry food without oil? The answer is yes with the best air fryer. As the name suggests, the machine uses natural elements to cook food. And, there is no need to add oil. Just put the bacon in, set the timer and wait. It is worth noting that any old fryer won’t suffice because the best ones cost a pretty penny. Still, it’s possible to find fryers under $100 which do the job. The trick is to research the best models and the market to get an understanding of which ones are effective. Then, use a bit of thriftiness to find a good deal. Start by searching online and checking out different suppliers. Next, try and find discount codes and vouchers which take off as much as 20%.
Be Fruity
Obviously, the aim is to eat more fruits and vegetables because they are nutrient-rich and low in calories. Of course, like all things healthy, they aren’t as tasty and less appealing. Come on – does anyone love eating steamed broccoli? The answer is no, which is why you need to find a delicious way to add them to your diet. An excellent trick is to use them within dishes with a thick sauce. Autumn is here, and that means hearty stews and casseroles are on the menu. So, while the beef is braising, why not throw in a drawer full of vegetables? The veg will fill out the meal so that there is no need to overload on meat, and the sauce will make it taste better. Curry is another excellent way to get your five-a-day.
Control Portion Sizes
Keeping the meal sizes to a minimum won’t increase the flavor, but it will help with your health. Think of it this way: the smaller the amount, the less harmful on the body. Say you want to take a break from healthy eating, then portion control is a sneaky and useful ruse. Okay, so the dish isn’t as healthy as possible, but the size of the meal limits the damage. For the best results, use this rule for deserts. One last thing: don’t forget to sin from time to time. It’s difficult to maintain a healthy diet if you don’t have treats. A piece of chocolate a day will lift your spirits without harming health.
Healthy food can be delicious, too. All you have to do is understand what is beneficial and what isn’t.
[…] It’s essential to strike a deal with them when it comes to cooking together. If they help, then you should let them have some control of what goes into their dish – even if that means leaving out certain ingredients or adding in others! This will make the experience more meaningful for both parties and helps reinforce healthy meals. […]