Most people follow unhealthy cooking recipes unknowingly. This happens especially due to cooking myths and beliefs people inherited from their seniors. Eating various healthy foods will allow you to remain in good health while preventing you from contracting chronic diseases. Healthy cooking means preparing a well-balanced diet and having foods from the five essential food groups. Also, these foods should be in the recommended amounts. Do not take too much or too little of a certain food group. Nevertheless, healthy cooking does not necessarily mean you have to give up your favorite recipes. You just need better planning and some simple swaps to help you achieve beneficial changes in your diet. Check out the following tips for healthy recipes and cooking. 

Add Flavour with Spices and herbs 

Using natural herbs to make your food instead of chemicals is best. Besides, spices and herbs add delicious flavors to your food without even needing oil or salt. These herbs and spices also contain natural nutrients which help your body become stronger and healthier. Remember that herbs are delicately flavored. Thus, they should be added to your cooking during the last few minutes. This helps preserve the nutrients they provide and prevent them from overcooking. 

You can add spices and herbs to mustard, desserts, drinks, soups, salad dressing, and bread. Check out the pickyeaterblog to learn how to make healthy cinnamon rolls.

Reduce Salt

Usually, most foods have salt but in low quantities. Excessive consumption of salt can lead to various health issues like high blood pressure. You can sometimes supplement salt with lemon juice, vinegar, or olive oil since they enhance flavors as salt does. Again, avoid adding salt to your foods automatically without even tasting them. While pickled and canned vegetables can be tempting to consume, they are not the best option. Instead, choose frozen or fresh vegetables as they have no salt additives.

If you have to use salt, ensure that you purchase iodized salt, as it is healthy for the body. 

Retain Food Nutrients

  • Did you know that some vitamins are soluble in water? Thus, this makes them delicate and easy to destroy during preparation and cooking. To minimize nutrient loss, you can do the following. Use small amounts of water to boil vegetables, and do not overboil them.
  • Consider scrubbing vegetables instead of peeling them since most nutrients are close to the skin.
  • Incorporate more stir-fry recipes into your cooking
  • Steam or microwave vegetables as boiling could kill the nutrients

Switch to Healthier Fats

Fats are an essential part of the human diet. However, they should be taken in the right quantities and qualities. Reducing fats from dairy products and processed foods is advisable since they usually have hidden unhealthy fats. Avocados, olives, fish, soy, and nuts provide healthier fats for the body. This is because they consist of the essential long-chain fatty acids which contain healthy nutrients. If you have to add oil to your cooking, consider using more beneficial fats like canola and olive oil.

Follow the following tips, and you will notice a significant improvement in your body’s health status.