Cooking for a Better You

It is time we all start watching ways we can cut back on all the destructive foods we eat.  Not only will we be eating things that will help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, it will also give us more energy and keep our weight down.  Overall we end up feeling better and looking better.  Here are a few tips on making the food you eat taste great, but be much better for you.

Research shows that the antioxidant, lycopene, can help prevent heart disease and certain types of cancers.  This antioxidant can be found in tomatoes, so eat plenty of them!  The lycopene does not dissipate in being processed, so it doesn’t even matter what form of tomatoes you use in your cooking.   Feel free to add some form of tomatoes to your casserole, meatloaf, soups, as well as having tomato sauces over foods.

Instead of using half-and-half when making sauces, try using evaporated skim milk.  This will reduce the fat content in the sauce.  A healthy way to thicken your sauces and soups is to use breadcrumbs.  Use whole wheat or rye bread.  

Grill or broil your meats as often as you can.   After grilling or broiling chicken, removing the skin will also help cut calories and cholesterol levels.  Leaving the skin on during your cooking process will help to keep the savory juices inside the meat.

For basting broiled and baked meats, try using low-calorie salad dressings instead of the fats produced by the meats you are cooking.  Again, this helps cut calories and lowers cholesterol!