subject: Cooking Low Calorie Meals Can Be Easy [print this page] Whether dieting to lose extra pounds or just seeking respite from a heavy meal on a warm evening, a delicious dish that is light on fat and calories always fills the bill.
However, frustrated dieters and healthy eaters alike know that the use of the words delicious and light in the same sentence is - at the very least - suspicious. Now you can revel in the knowledge that a little effort and attention to detail can reap fantastic culinary rewards.
Vegetables are the centerpiece of healthy cooking. Naturally low in calories and high in nutritional value, they can be molded into meals that are surprisingly flavorful. Steaming, sauteing and stir frying are the best cooking methods when it comes to retaining valuable vitamins and minerals and maximizing flavor without adding unnecessary calories.
Raw vegetables also contain fibers which are good for our health. Meat is, of course, a great source of proteins. But tofu and beans, for example, are great high energy alternatives, so you should use them more in your nutrition. And always remember to use fresh ingredients because their flavor is strongest when they are fresh.
You should forget about using fattening creams, oils or salt to achieve flavor. Try focusing instead on different types of spices, herbs and vinegars. Also try using other low calories foods, such as non-fat yogurt and low-fat mayonnaise. Another nice trick that chefs frequently use is sauting vegetables in wine or sherry instead of using oil or butter. Not only will vegetables be healthier when cooked this way, but they will also gain a special flavor.
Salads probably need the least of effort to prepare and they can look really nice and colorful. It doesn't matter if you are on a diet or just want to eat healthy, they can be a great high energy alternative to fast food. You can serve it with chilled soup and whole-grain bread or crackers.
A plain lettuce and tomato version, on the other hand, would leave even the most experimental meat-and-potato eater untempted. Lure them to the light side by tossing in a variety of veggies, fruit, pastas, beans, rice and other healthy foods. Combine different colors, tastes and textures to render a salad heartier and more satisfying.
However, don't sabotage a healthy creation with fattening store-bought salad dressings. Make your own flavorful dressings by pureeing fresh vegetables like tomatoes, celery, bell peppers and onion and mixing them with flavored vinegar and fresh herbs and spices.
You should also try phasing out your old habits when it comes to certain products which are fat-heavy. Start replacing them with their low-calorie counterparts. As you can see, knowledge is everything when preparing healthy meals.
