Healthy eating doesn't have to be hard. In fact, it can be fun and flavorsome! If you want to start cooking healthier meals and don't know where to begin, then we have you covered. One of the things we love most about a home-cooked meal is that we're in charge of what goes on our plate—and how it gets there. From wholefoods to healthy snacks, we've rounded up some tried and true healthy cooking tips that even the best at-home chefs need to know!
Eat More Plants
While it may seem like a no brainer, eating the right amount of fruits and veggies is one of the best ways to improve your diet. When eating out, it's easy to choose the plate that looks the most appealing. And often, that plate includes greasy fried food. Making food at home gives you the chance to make those restaurant classics, in a healthier way.
By swapping out certain ingredients for veggies, you can create a dish that's both nutritious and delicious. Take this Buffalo Baked Cauliflower Falafel recipe, for example. Cauliflower is added to the recipe to create a meal that is bursting with flavor. Additional wholesome ingredients like our Gluten Free Rolled Oats are also worked in and add even more nutrition to this meal!
Use Quality Ingredients
In short, eating healthy and eating foods of quality go hand in hand. Purchasing quality ingredients is crucial when it comes to cooking healthy at home. No matter how you cook your food or what you add to it, there's one thing you can't make up for—poor quality.
If you're doubtful that you are using quality ingredients, ask yourself these questions; Is the food you're eating minimally processed? Does it contain real, wholesome ingredients? If you answered no to any of these questions, then it may be time to rethink the products that you're purchasing and if they're the healthiest choice for you.
Keep Healthy Snacks on Hand
Let's be honest; healthy snacks are hard to find. It's so much easier (and tastier) to reach for that bag of chips than to cut up some carrots and prepare a dip. That's why when it comes to cooking at home, it's important to make sure that part of that cooking includes healthy snacks.
Snacks like these Spiced Carrot Cake Muesli Energy Poppers and Gluten Free Chickpea Flour Crackers are a must when it comes to wholesome, homemade baking. By making these treats yourself, you have complete control over the ingredients that go into them. Want a gluten free snack? Bake it! Need something to munch on in between meals? Prep a healthy treat the day before and take it with you. No matter what you're craving, if you find the right recipe, you can turn that unhealthy desire into a nutritious mid-day snack.
Eat More Whole Foods
Add a boost of nutrition to your homemade meals by cooking with whole foods. Real whole foods are usually a single ingredient. Grains like quinoa, bulgur and cracked freekeh are all wholesome and nutritious foods that you can easily incorporate into any healthy diet.
While processed foods may be convenient, they are also loaded with harmful chemicals and additives that can negatively affect your health. Ensure that your meals are helping your health rather than hurting it by including more whole foods into your home-cooked dishes.
Flavor Your Foods Wisely
When it comes to flavoring your foods, we say skip the premixed sauces. When mixed correctly, fresh herbs, spices and even fruit juices are all an excellent way to flavor a meal. They're a lot healthier too! Just a squeeze of lemon, or a handful of fresh herbs can transform a dish into a mouthwatering masterpiece.
Don't know where to start? We love using recipes like this Sweet and Spicy Salmon Rub to boost the taste of a meal. Made with ground ginger, cayenne pepper, whole fennel seeds and mustard seeds, this rub is a tasty way to add flavor to a dish without sacrificing its nutritional value.
Now that you know a bit more about healthy cooking at home, it's time to test it out! Whether you start by incorporating more wholesome foods into your diet or decide to make healthy snacks at home, following these tips will surely help you become a healthy at-home chef! Remember, eating healthy doesn't have to be hard. With just a little bit of practice, it will quickly become a part of your daily cooking routine.
Do you have a healthy at-home cooking tip of your own? If so, let us know in the comments below!
