Looking for a few easy ways to make
your meals healthier? Then look no further since I have a few effective
tips for you. We all know that healthy eating is the key to a longer
life, but sometimes we think that we eat healthy when actually we make our healthy meals unhealthy by adding unnecessary ingredients. With these simple tips and tricks, you will make any meal healthier in no time!1. Use avocado instead of mayo
Did you know that a tablespoon of your
favorite mayo can contain around 100 calories and 9 grams of fat? If you
are going to make an egg salad, a tuna salad or a chicken salad,
try adding avocados to your salad instead of mayonnaise. Although
avocados still contain fat, they are much healthier than mayonnaise. If
you don’t have avocados, you can add Greek yogurt to your salad. Greek
yogurt is an excellent source of protein, which helps promote fullness.
2. Use olive oil instead of vegetable oils
If you use vegetable oils such as canola
oil, corn oil, and soybean oil, you will never make your meals
healthier. These oils are highly refined and they can damage your
health, especially when heated. Opt for olive oil as a cooking oil
instead. You can also use a coconut oil. Both olive and coconut oils do
better with medium to high heats and they’re much healthier.
3. Use spices instead of salt
We often add a sprinkle of salt or a pat
of butter to our meals to make them taste better without realizing that
we add unnecessary fat and sodium to our meals. One of the best ways
to make your food healthier is to use different spices instead of salt.
You can flavor your meals with dried and fresh herbs such as parsley,
cilantro, dill, garlic, basil etc. You can also use dulse to add essential iodine and natural sodium to your diet.
4. Add less sugar
There are many reasons to give up sugar,
but if you can’t do it, at least try to consume less sugar. Sugar is
the key factor to most health problems. It can contribute to diabetes
and osteoporosis, weaken your immune system, cause kidney damage, upset
your body’s mineral balance, speed up the aging process, and many more.
I think it’s a crucial reason to give up sugar. Try using stevia
instead of sugar to make your drinks and meals healthier.
5. Add more vegetables to your stews, casseroles and soups
Veggies are rich in essential vitamins and minerals,
and they are good for your overall health. Try adding more veggies to
your dishes, even to those that don’t include veggies. After all, it’s
not difficult to add some frozen broccoli to your rice casserole or sneaking some peppers and mushrooms into your lasagna. A little extra vegetables never hurt anyone.
6. Use water instead of broth
Many store bought broths as well as
stocks contain plenty of salt and other terrible ingredients including
MSG. You can braise foods in organic, low sodium broths to make your
meals healthier. But I highly recommend you to use water instead of
broth. If you have time, you can even make your own homemade stock with
leftover bones.
7. Use whole grains instead of refined grains
When you make bread, pasta, or rice
dishes, consider using whole grains instead of refined grains to make
your meals healthier. For instance, use whole grain brown rice instead
of refined white rice or eat whole-wheat bread instead of white bread.
Studies show that consuming whole grains instead of refined grains
reduces the risk of numerous chronic diseases.
8. Use low-fat cheese
If you often use cheese in your recipes,
try using low-fat cheese to reduce the saturated fat intake. When you
order pizza or make your own pizza at home, skip the extra cheese or add
a little of it to your pizza. It’s better to add more vegetables than
cheese. Although cheese is high in calcium, studies show excessive dairy
consumption can increase your risk of osteoporosis.
Make your casseroles, soups, and pasta
dishes healthier by switching up several ingredients and cooking
methods, and you will feel better and look better as well. What are your
tips for making any meal healthier? Source: Naijas.com
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