I love cooking at home – and making your own food is a great way to make sure it is healthy and clean. Here are some of my favorite tips for healthy cooking:

1. Cook One Serving Dishes

Sometimes you are craving delicious baked goods – but know that cooking an entire batch of brownies will just mean they will all get eaten…by you. Sound familiar? This is a great time to cook one serving dishes. There are many recipes you can find to for instance: make a single brownie in a mug to ensure you can indulge in a one one treat and not overeat. Here is my favorite Brownie in a Mug Recipe.

2. Go Open Faced

When making a sandwich – stick to only one piece of bread to reduce calories and carbs. This is also a great trick for eating out, if you order a sandwich that comes with a large bun, take one side off and save calories for a healthier meal.

3. Stick With Lean Cuts

When cooking meat, always opt for lean cuts especially if you are making red meat. Cook lighter and healthier by making good choices at the grocery store before you even start the cooking process.

4. Cook With Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a great substitute for oil and butter in many baking recipes. It can also substitute for mayonnaise in chicken salad recipe or on a sandwich. Looking for places in recipes to make this trade and save calories and reduce fat.

5. Wrap Sandwiches in Lettuce

Turn your afternoon turkey wrap or sandwich into a lettuce wrap for a healthier alternative. I like to use large iceberg lettuce leafs that wraps easily. You can secure the wrap with a toothpick and pack it in a tupperware to take to work.

6. Bake With Applesauce

Applesauce is another great alternative to oil or butter in a recipe. You can even just substitute half of the butter to maintain the same consistency and integrity of the dish, while making it healthier.

7. Opt for Almond Milk

Almond milk is a much healthier alternative to regular dairy milk – and tastes delicious. I actually prefer almond milk on my cereal and in my smoothies, but you can also cook and bake with it as well. Choose the unsweetened almond milk at the grocery store and this variety usually has only 40-60 calories per cup.

8. Season with Citrus

Often many of the calories in recipes comes from the oil, butter and heavy sauces used to season and give flavor. I season my fish with a simple mixture of herbs and then fresh lemon or lime juice. Citrus fruit adds lots of flavor without the fat and calories of other heavy marinades.

9. Avoid Adding Flavor with Butter

Many recipes call of a ridiculous amount of butter. Watch this while you are cooking and really think about whether your dish needs the added butter it calls for. Butter is often added to pasta sauces, on top of fish or even in vegetables. Make healthier choices by cutting out the extra calories and fat – either by eliminating the butter all together or using only 1/3 of what the recipe calls for.

10. Make Skinny Desserts

Everyone needs a little something sweet now and then. One great way to eat dessert without the guilt is to find healthy low-calorie dessert options. Some good ideas are berries drizzled with organic dark chocolate, peaches roasted with brown sugar, or protein filled cookies. Find healthy dessert options that you can make to satisfy a sweet tooth while staying with your healthy lifestyle.

 

I hope the cooking tips help! Leave your comments and questions for SummerGirl Fitness below.

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