The Healthiest Cooking Methods
By Sara Butler
Choosing healthy foods is only one part of the healthy eating equation. You can have the healthiest food in the world on your plate but if you’re not cooking it the right way, then you might be losing out on its health benefits. Here are a few of the ways you can get the most out of your healthy foods – by cooking them right!
Sautéing and Stir-Frying
The most important thing to remember about these cooking methods is you have to use the right temperature and the right oil. Still, these are versatile and fast cooking methods you can use for just about anything!
The high heat used in these methods can make it dangerous for use with certain oils. Heating some oils too high can release free radicals that damage the cells in the body and contribute to chronic inflammation. You need to use oil that has a high smoke point such as peanut oil or avocado oil.
Poaching
Poaching doesn’t get nearly enough love in the cooking world. This moist heat cooking technique uses water or broth to gently simmer the food. You can use it for anything from salmon to chicken. It creates flavorful food without adding a lot of calories (if you don’t use oil or milk, that is) and should be used more in every kitchen!
Roasting
Roasting is a great way to prepare flavorful food that is much healthier than frying. If you use this cooking method you simply need to be on the lookout for overcooking food, which can potentially release a chemical in the food called acrylamide, which may contribute to some forms of cancer.
It’s easy to avoid over-roasting. All you have to do is look at the color. Aim for a light golden brown and avoid dark brown, since the darker the roasted food, the more acrylamide there may be!
Broiling
Broiling blasts food at high heat from the oven’s heat source. Just as with roasting, you want to avoid charring the food you’re cooking since it can release dangerous chemicals. But you can protect the food you’re hoping to get the perfect broil on by using marinades with vinegar, lemon, and herbs such as thyme and rosemary. These ingredients can act as a barrier and protect your food when broiling or grilling.
Try to utilize these cooking methods more and see how it can make your health better!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Arvada, Colo.