Now that you have decided to maintain a healthy diet by eating healthy foods, it is time to get out the cookbooks or start surfing the internet for recipes and tips. Healthy cooking involves more than just cooking at home. It is also about the ingredients used to prepare the food, cooking methods, foods that are nutritious and foods that should be avoided.
In the interests of eating healthy foods, no one wants to end up eating the same boring foods every day. The path to healthy cooking will have its share of learning curves; just dig in and persevere. There are some mistakes you can avoid to make the healthy cooking experience a happier one.
The first mistake people are apparently fond of making is failing to plan in advance. When you decide to start cooking your own meals that are a healthy option to eating junk food, planning is an essential part of the process. It is very important to plan a shopping list based on the menu for the week ahead. Sit yourself down regularly once a week with a cookbook or the internet to plan the foods you will feed your family. Make a list of all the ingredients you need to stock up on; stick to the list and you will not end up buying foods that are unhealthy. Don't forget to include
snack plans in the list for the week.
Preparation is key to saving time preparing those healthy meals. Once the shopping is done, prepare the fruits and vegetables by washing them and storing in the refrigerator. Put the fruits and vegetables in damp paper towels first then put them in airtight containers. This will help to preserve them. Divvy up the snacks and store in sealable ziplock bags; this way it is no big deal to hand them out on a daily basis and you get to control the portions.
One common mistake people generally make is to go overboard and cut out all the fat from their cooking. We need to remember that not all fats are bad fats and the body does need the energy and fatty acids some fats provide. A bit of fat in the cooking will provide a sense of fullness so you end up eating less. What you can do is reduce the bad fats like full fat butter, cheese, cream and whole milk; fatty meats; fried foods, baked goods sold commercially; processed sauces and dressings.
Learn how to make sauces and dressings with healthy ingredients and substitute healthy foods for unhealthy, fat-rich foods.
Healthy Cooking - Tips to Cut Out Unhealthy Fat
According to the Institute of Medicine's Guidelines, only 20-30 percent of our daily calories should come from fat. Preparing meals at home helps to keep a close watch over the calories and eliminate unhealthy fats. However, don't go overboard