Low Calorie Cooking

Who doesn�t want to flaunt perfect curves? Even if staying fit and healthy is the new fad, it doesn�t mean you have to give up eating delish foods. The end product of low calorie cooking doesn�t have to be a bland food, which is a general misconception. You can always indulge yourself in succulent and yummy food without drenching it in oil or butter. Low calorie cooking has today become an integral part of healthy lifestyle. Cooking low calorie healthy foods not only helps you keep in shape, but also goes a long way in keeping you away from the talons of several diseases. For cooking the food the low calorie way, there is a need to bring about some changes in your cooking technique. Do not fret about the flavor, for low calorie cooking can also result in foods that will taste amazing to your palette. Listed below are several tips to make low calorie cooking a flavorsome yet healthy part of your lifestyle.

Cooking Low Calorie Healthy Foods

Low-Fat Food
Avoid the usage of coconut, as it is high in saturated fats. Other items that should not be used for cooking low-calorie food are nuts, cream, poppy seeds etc. It doesn't require much effort to convert a high calorie dish into a low calorie one; rather it can be easily done by making simple modifications. If frozen yogurt or milk is part of your eating habit, buy their low-fat counterparts. Also include more lean meat into your diet. Consume more skinless poultry, lean cut beef, pork and lamb, where the loins have the least fat.

Different Oils & Cooking Bases
Apart from the regular cooking oil (vegetable, sunflower, coconut, mustard), there is a wide range of other alternatives that could be used for making a healthy, low-cal meal. The most common types of oils are olive oil, extra-virgin olive oil, soya-bean oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, avocado oil, sesame oil and wheat germ oil. You could also use different bases for cooking and shelve the old grease-and-flour method by using vegetable shortening, butter and margarine for cooking.

Different Cooking Techniques
Instead of frying food, opt for techniques like steaming, boiling, poaching, roasting and baking. You can binge, guilt-free on grilled vegetables, cottage cheese or even proteins like red meat and chicken for that matter. If you want to fry food, avoid deep-frying and rather, stir fry your food using little oil. Simmering your food in wine or broth is also a great alternative to frying your food. Poaching your meats in the traditional bouillon and blanching vegetables will not only retain the food�s nutrients but is also a great method of low-calorie cooking.

Cut Down On Sugar
No pain, no gain! Instead of frying food, opt for other cooking techniques such as baking or roasting. Use non-fat milk, sugar free foods, low-calorie margarines and egg substitutes for incorporating various flavors. Go for skimmed milk, as it is low on fat and is a healthy alternative for health-conscious adults. While preparing desserts, use artificial sweeteners or use you could use it in combination with natural sugar. It is advisable to avoid sugary foods and replace them with fresh fruits, which are healthy and nutritious. Studies have shown that sweeteners bloat your stomach, so, cook your food the low calorie way and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Unnecessary Garnish & Healthy Dips
You can always garnish your food with fresh herbs like parsley and oregano, or even use cheese in moderate amounts. However, excessive garnishing, especially cheese could turn your low-calorie meal into one packed with unwanted fat and calories. So, make sure you garnish your meal in moderation and pick the right ingredients. In a similar manner, you could substitute mayonnaise and other greasy dips, with homemade dips such as salsa, hummus, guacamole, fat-free yoghurt based dips and vegetable dips made of pumpkin, spinach, garlic, artichokes, avocados etc.

More Vegetables
Vegetables cannot be avoided, no matter what. They are packed with all the goodness of health you can ask for. You can boil vegetables or use them in salads, casseroles, stews and soups. You can also include a lot of green leafy vegetables including raw tomatoes, cucumber, broccoli, iceberg lettuce, beetroot and any other raw vegetables and sprinkle it with olive oil, pepper, salt or a low-fat dressing of your choice.

If you stick to these tips, then you need not worry about your health because you are on the right track. You just have to cut down the consumption of oily food and use substitutes of fatty meat that are equally healthy yet delicious such as lean meat. Stick to smart light cooking and lead a healthy lifestyle.