Did you have summer goals? Yes, please! Adopting healthy cooking practices is a necessity for good health. As a result, our intake of nutrients is boosted while our exposure to potentially harmful compounds is reduced.
It’s critical to learn about healthy cooking now that the emphasis on health has shifted from survival health (the absence of sickness) to optimal health (the body being as healthy as it can be).
After getting advice from our home chefs, here’s a list of the 12 best cooking habits for you to incorporate when preparing your meal.
1. Meal planning
Healthy eating starts with shopping and meal planning. Planning reduces the likelihood of buying unhealthy food and drinks while grocery shopping. You can save time deciding what to cook with a plan. It guarantees you eat seasonal produce. This lets you manage your consumption. That’s why on the Chef Pin we allow you to order home-cooked meals up to three days in advance so that you can plan your meals.
2. Kitchen clean-up
Unsanitary kitchens breed foodborne illnesses, including food poisoning. Keeping the kitchen clean prevents germs and bacteria from growing. Sanitize the stoves, countertops, and other cooking appliances to maintain kitchen hygiene. A healthy kitchen smells fresh and makes cooking enjoyable.
3. Wash fruits & veggies well
Why do moms tell us to wash fruits and vegetables? Dust, germs, or bacteria on fresh produce can cause illnesses. Washing vegetables well is an excellent way to remove germs and prevent their spread. Before cutting, eating, and cooking, wash your fruits and vegetables under cold running water.
4. Non-stick skillets
Non-stick pans are a must-have since you can prepare nutritious dishes with little to no oil. Because cheat meals cut calories, we feel less harmful eating them. Washing, cleaning, and using them is straightforward. If you haven’t already, buy one to update your kitchen.
5. Food-grade tools
Choosing the correct tool preserves food’s nutrition. Glass, bamboo, and cast iron are safe and don’t affect food. Some utensils can be dangerous because they contain toxic materials. Make sure you do some research before you order these tools online. Look out for labels that clearly say that the containers are food-grade and microwavable.
6. Reduce sugar
Everyone knows processed sugar is unhealthy. Sugar can cause weight gain, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, fatigue, etc. Cutting sugar intake is apparent. Honey, jaggery, coconut sugar, or maple syrup are healthy sugar alternatives that add sweetness without compromising health.
7. Low-fat techniques
Low-fat cooking aids weight loss. These approaches are a terrific way to create nutritious, delicious meals for your family and maintain everyone’s health. Reduce oil. For the best health advantages, use olive oil or desi ghee.
8. Limit sodium
Cooking with salt is common. Too much salt, which is essentially made up of sodium, is unhealthy – it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. It can also cause calcium losses, some of which may be pulled from the bone. Reduce salt intake to promote good health.
9. Overcooking
Long cooking destroys nutrients. Highly water-soluble foods such as dark green leafy vegetables should not be overcooked. Deep frying and long baking damages the food’s goodness. So balance these items with fresher or less cooked ingredients to enjoy the best of both worlds.
10. Minimize fats
Choose lean meats and low-fat dairy to reduce hidden fats. Nuts, seeds, seafood, soy, olives, and avocado are healthy because they include long-chain fatty acids and other nutrients. Use monounsaturated oils like olive and canola for cooking.
11. Portion control
Even healthy excess is unhealthy. Large meals and a full plate won’t help you lose weight. Portion sizes allow you to track calories and avoid overeating. Filling foods reduces hunger. Eat extra produce, whole grains, and protein.
12. Flavouring herbs
Herbs provide flavor and colour to foods. They’re rich in phytoestrogens. Herbs are fragile, so add them last.