Cooking is an important and unavoidable part of jump starting a healthy lifestyle or starting a meal plan. But sometimes we can find ourselves ignoring the small things that can make our journey a bit smoother. Dr. Goglia recommends a few tips to help make your food not only more enjoyable, but healthier. Keep these tips in mind the next time you’re at the grocery store or when planning your next meal.
Season Your Food
Making sure your food is tasty is the number one way to help you stay on track with your meal plan. It will make your mealtime more enjoyable and it will help you expand your creativity when it comes to cooking. Try using a variety of herbs and spices to season your proteins as well as your vegetables and grains. Try out these amazing recipes for your vegetables and for your grains the next time you feel a little adventurous with your meals.
Use Wholesome Ingredients
Using wholesome ingredients is the ideal way to omit any hidden fat and ingredients from your diet. Using 100% fruit spreads or honey to add sweetness to your oatmeal instead of using an artificial sugar is a great way to start. Perhaps switching from dried fruit to a whole fresh fruit with a Justin’s Peanut Butter is a great snack for a midday pick me up as well. As a rule of thumb – keep the ingredients on the nutrition label as minimal as possible.
Replace the Not-So-Healthy Ingredients
We all have those tempting food options in our radar that perhaps make it tempting to sneak in a few bites or spoonfuls. As much as we think we’re not overdoing it, it’s very common that we underestimate how much those little ingredients here and there can affect our golden ratios. By switching from mayonnaise to Vegenaise in your wraps or using avocado or hummus for a creamy spread is a great way to kick those unhealthy ingredients out of your diet. Additionally, using fresh citrus juice or vinegar in lieu of salad dressing can keep your golden ratios in check and on track with your goals.
Omitting Excess Fat
Removing skin from your proteins will significantly reduce any excess fat that isn’t part of your golden ratios. We sometimes can underestimate the amount of fat that comes from a drizzle of olive oil or a scoop of peanut butter. Although fats are essential for your diet to help regulate your hormones, aid in weight loss, and to help keep you full longer, you want to make sure you’re not exceeding your recommended intake. Using non-stick cooking spray or non-stick cooking pans are also great options to omit any excess fat.
Finding Different Preparation Methods
Preparation method is a huge factor to take into consideration when trying to switch over to a healthier lifestyle. Methods such as frying, stir-frying, or sauteing are generally ways to add excess fats to your meals which can be undesirable when trying to hit a weight loss goal. Using methods such as grilling, oven roasting, steaming/boiling, or pressure cooking are great ways to limit the amount of oil used. These methods can be ideal of proteins and vegetables and can easily be done for meal planning.