Easy healthy cooking
Healthy cooking is just as important to a healthy diet as the foods you eat and portion control -- and it's easier than you might think. Keep the following in mind and you'll be well on your way to a healthier you:
1. Be smart about your shopping
Healthy cooking starts with healthy ingredients so, go to the grocery store with a list and stick to it.
Choose healthy, raw foods for your cart and stay away from processed items. Start by loading up on healthy foods to fill your kitchen cupboards and familiarize yourself with the items to keep off your grocery list.
2. Choose healthy recipes
If you're at a loss for healthy cooking ideas or are tired of the same salads day after day, you need some new recipes. Find inspiration in any of our 10 healthy cooking recipes.
3. Careful how you cook your meat
Grilled, boiled and fried animal foods can put your health at risk, but there are healthy ways to cook meat without a frying pan.
Try cooking at lower temperatures and using methods like steaming and sautéing. And avoid high-heat cooking when possible.
4. Try braising
Braising is a low-temperature, but highly underrated, healthy cooking method. Make any of our 13 best braising recipes tonight to find out for yourself how wonderful braising can be.
5. Fight cancer with food
While some cooked foods can increase your risk of cancer, others can help prevent it. Regularly incorporate foods that fight cancer into your diet to reduce your risk.
6. Use healthy cooking oils
According to Health Canada, "Choosing the right amount and types of oils and fats can lower your risk of developing certain diseases such as heart disease."
Consult our guide to healthy cooking oils for more information on which oils and fats to favour.
7. Cook with your heart in mind
Heart disease is leading cause of death in Canada and what you eat can help or harm your heart. By choosing heart-healthy recipes, you can help keep your ticker in tip-top shape.
8. Reduce sodium in your cooking
Here's the scoop on sodium: too much salt in your diet can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and kidney stones, so eliminate excess salt where you can.
You might also be surprised to find that sodium is lurking in your favourite foods: read up on 10 secret sources of sodium and alter your shopping list accordingly.
9. Eat a rainbow
Canada's Food Guide recommends we eat at least one dark green and one orange vegetable every day, so colour your plate with everything from broccoli and spinach to sweet potatoes and squash -- all topped off with some red pepper and eggplant.
Cook and eat a wide variety of colours every day, but remember to retain nutrients by steaming or sautéing your vegetables rather than boiling or frying.
10. Make your own dressings and dips
Skip the preservatives that come with pre-made toppings and make your own easy salad dressings, dips, sauces and toppings.
Find more healthy cooking tips under Nutrition and Diet and Healthy Eating.
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