6 Healthy Cooking Tips and Techniques

Looking to better improve your health this year, then checkout this Healthy cooking tips and techniques post.

To adjust to healthier eating habits, you really need only learn to use smarter cooking techniques as well as better choices when you eat in restaurants. Most techniques can be applied to the recipes you make now so you will still be able to enjoy your favorites but in a more healthy fashion.

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Healthy Cooking Tips and Techniques - The Smart Cook

Let's be honest -fat does add flavor to a recipe. That is most likely why we enjoy it so much. However, there are ways to add flavor and remove fat. Take this as a challenge as well as an opportunity to awaken those taste buds you never knew you had. Try using spices, herbs, and condiments, and you may just be pleasantly surprised at the new taste sensations you will discover.

1) When you saute or stir-fry, you do not need as much fat as many have become accustomed to using. By using a non-stick skillet or wok and a nonstick cooking spray, you cut out tons of fat and calories before you have begun cooking your meal. An even better choice would be to grill your food or for tender cuts of meat, broil it instead of sauteing or pan-frying.

2) When you do have to use some fat, use it sparingly. Stick to olive oil whenever you can. To add flavor during cooking, try using fat-free salad dressing, marinades, mustard, chutney, fruit preserves, or salsa. This will keep the food moist in place of fat.

3) When a recipe calls for sauteing of vegetables or browning of meat, use your nonstick cooking spray. If you cannot help yourself, then add no more than a teaspoon or so of olive oil, butter, or margarine. Add a couple of teaspoons of liquid, cover the pan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally. Once your food is done, drain off any excess fat then add your remaining ingredients. In addition, trim off all visible fat from your meats and skin from poultry. If you are using tuna, only use tuna packed in water.

4) To reap the most nutritional rewards from your vegetables, cook them quickly. This also preserves their texture. Steam, stir-fry, roast or microwave them. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness so if you can take the time, this is the best way to cook them. Furthermore, leave the skins on, both on fruits and vegetables. This preserves fiber and nutrients.

5) Learn to watch your salt/sodium intake. It is not necessary to add salt during cooking, contrary to popular belief. The only item you may wish to add about 1/2-teaspoon to would be when boiling potatoes for mashed potatoes. Did you ever forget to add some salt when cooking your potatoes for mashing? It's horrible! However, in most vegetables, you can add the salt at the table.

6) Consider trying low-sodium products, as well. When using broths, purchase low-sodium versions. You can use these for stir-frying, sauteing, braising, or poaching meat or fish. Always rinse and thoroughly drain shrimp and vegetables before you add them to your recipe. This will remove much of the salt.

How to Make Your Meals Lighter without Sacrificing Flavor

Learn to use less meat in your meals. When you do use meat, keep the portions down. Suggested serving sizes are two to four ounces per serving.

• Add pasta, rice, beans, vegetables, or fruit to make up for the missing meat.
• Use fat-free or light salad dressings, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurt, skim milk, pasta sauces, and fruit spreads. These products are actually quite good these days! And you get used to them in short order.
• Love sausage, bacon, or ham? Use turkey-based versions. Ham you can purchase in very lean varieties - do it!
• Only purchase meats with the word "loin" or "round" in the name. These are the leanest cuts.
• For ground beef, go with the "round" - ground round, that is. It has much less fat. Also, in dishes called for a browned hamburger but consisting of other ingredients, use 1/2 the amount you usually do. For example, in Hamburger Helpers. You do not have to use an entire pound to get the same flavor. A one-half pound will suffice. Doesn't hurt the budget, either!
• Incorporate more turkey or chicken breast meals. There are umpteen ways to perk up the flavor so you are not stuck with a bland meal.
• If you are time-stressed, purchase extra-lean deli-slices of turkey or roast beef. Rotisserie-style chicken is an excellent choice, as well.
• Substitute whole-wheat flour for 1/2 the flour in all your recipes. This adds fiber and other nutrients.
• When you purchase bread and/or grains, check the label to be sure it has whole-wheat or other whole-grain flour as the first ingredient.
• Use a variety of grains. Good choices include couscous, barley, brown rice, oatmeal, rye, wild rice, bulgar, whole-wheat pasta, corn tortillas, and rye crackers.
• Use fresh and dried fruits in desserts and other dishes. You can add them to just about anything that sounds good to you. You can puree them for sauces, salads, cold pasta dishes, side dishes, casseroles, or meat stuffings.
• Use more dark green, leafy vegetables. Add spinach or kale to sandwiches, salads, vegetable dishes, and stir-fries.
• Use shredded cabbage, especially red cabbage, as a high-fiber addition to salads, stir-fries, sandwich fillings, soups, and even meatloaf.
• Incorporate apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, peaches, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, spinach, broccoli, and Swiss chard. These are high in Vitamin A, among other nutrients.
• For creamy soups, dips, and sauces, replace high-fat ingredients with nonfat yogurt, nonfat sour cream, or nonfat/light mayonnaise.
• Never use whole milk again! Use skim, buttermilk, and/or evaporated fat-free milk. Yes, even in sauces, soups, and other baked items.
• Use egg substitute in all dishes - baked or cooked. Alternatively, you can use two egg whites to equal one egg.
• Use only fat-free refried beans and regular beans. One would not think of beans as laden with fat, but some are due to the addition of meat flavor or some such thing. Watch the labels. Non-fat beans do not taste any different in your dishes than those with fat.
• If you find using canned fruit more convenient, purchase only those packed in water or their own juices.
• Watch for high fiber cereals. Read cereal labels, too, watching the serving sizes carefully. They can be very misleading.
• Go easy on avocados, coconut, and cheese (unless the light or fat-free).

Healthy Flavor Enhancers

A list of some healthy flavor enhancers you may wish to keep handy:

• Lemons
• Limes
• Orange juice
• Reduced-sodium soy sauce
• Light teriyaki sauce
• Low-calorie fruit spreads
• Red and green onions or shallots
• Salsas -- all types
• Chutneys
• Fresh cilantro
• Fresh parsley
• Watercress
• Fresh or dried herbs, from basil to thyme
• Curry powder
• Fines herbes
• Cajun seasoning
• Beau Monde seasoning
• Bottled hot pepper sauces
• Salt-free herb seasonings in a variety of flavors
• Lemon-pepper and garlic-pepper seasonings
• Fat-free salad dressings
• Mild-flavored vinegar, such as balsamic, rice, or raspberry
• Fresh garlic
• Grated fresh ginger
• Horseradish
• Grated citrus peel (lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit)
• Mustard -- any type you prefer
• Fresh or canned chili peppers; your preference

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Healthy cooking tips