How to Cook Healthier Without Too Much Effort
By Genevieve Cunningham
Eating healthy isn't always easy. Sometimes, it's really hard. Even when we make the conscious decision to cook at home, it can be hard to maintain a well-balanced diet. Why? Because we don't really know how to cook in a healthy way. Most of the time, we learned to cook growing up, and we only know how to do it healthy if we had health-conscious parents or we taught ourselves. But here's the good news: Cooking healthy is something that can be learned. If you need some healthy cooking tips to get your diet moving in the right direction, take a look at these tips that require very little extra effort.
Switch Your Oils
We have to use oil when we cook, right? But what kind of oil do you use? If it's canola or vegetable oil. There may be a healthier way. Try using olive oil, which is one of the best oils for your body. Or try coconut oil, which is high in fat -- but it's good fat that your body needs. Switching the oil that you use may not seem like a big deal, but it can make a big difference in your overall caloric intake and the nutritional value of your food.
Bake Instead of Fry
Fried foods are not good for the body. They're higher in calories, and they have extra grease. Sure, they taste good, but they're not good for our diets as a whole. Instead of frying your food, bake or grill it. This automatically makes your meal just a bit healthier. And because baked foods often go well with veggies, it may also influence the rest of your meal as well. If you can avoid frying very many foods, you'll be better off overall.
Change One Side
If you try to change everything at once, it's not going to work. You're going to get overwhelmed and frustrated. You're going to give up too soon. Instead, just work on changing one side. Switch from white rice to brown rice. Switch from potatoes to an extra veggie. Switch from toast to carrot sticks. One side can make a big difference, especially if it's a side that is rich in calories. Make this one switch and you'll be on your way to a healthier diet in no time.
If you want to eat healthy, altering your cooking habits is a good place to begin. The more we learn about nutrition and healthy cooking, the easier it is to maintain a proper diet. Use these tips to improve your kitchen skills and you may find your diet and health improve for good.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Collierville, Tenn.