2 of 11

Write now Article Tools

There are two very simple aspects we have to consider when looking at healthy food cooking and eating. They are, quite simply, what we cook and how we cook it. It may be extremely convenient to purchase microwave ready meals and simply pop them in the microwave oven when we come home from work at night but the nutritional value of such meals is more than likely to be very low indeed.

The first step we therefore have to take is to plan our meals in advance. This includes what we buy, how we are going to cook it and when. Consider things like lean meats and fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, rice and pastas. There are an infinite number of food stuffs to choose from. There are subsequently a great many ways we can find recipes in the modern age by simply considering what are our favourite healthy ingredients and performing an internet search for healthy recipes containing them. For example, a search for "healthy chicken and garlic recipes" will return more than enough options to be going on with for quite some time! In this sense, it is possible to plan ourselves a balanced and varied diet well before the event.

Prior to going to the supermarket, prepare a list of everything you wish to buy and stick to it. Do not be tempted by special offers on low nutrition products - they are only going to adversely affect your new healthier eating plan!

The chances are that the recipes we have previously unearthed will instruct us, or at the very least guide us, in how to prepare the food which we buy but there are a number of rules of thumb which we should always be aware of. Cooking methods such as poaching, steaming, stir-frying and baking tend to be the healthier options, while deep frying or microwave cooking are the more unhealthy alternatives. We also need to make sure that we cook each ingredient only for as long as is required as over long cooking times will deprive us of many of the natural vitamins and minerals. One example of this is the recent scientific study which showed that garlic can retain most of its goodness when boiled for up to six or seven minutes, but at the other end of the scale, its healthy properties are destroyed almost instantly in the microwave.

Consider also what we are serving with our meals. Condiments such as overly rich sauces can negate the benefits of the healthy meal we have so carefully prepared. Consider using fresh herbs or spices as part of your recipes instead if you need that little bit of extra flavour. It is amazing what a little bit of sage, basil or rosemary - to name but three - can add to a dish.

I hope this proves that with just a little bit of extra thought and planning, we can achieve our objectives of a healthier eating lifestyle - and perhaps even enjoy our food more as well!

Learn more about this author, Gordon Hamilton.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Healthy food cooking?
We want to hear your view. Write now!