Trying to keep your family healthy while serving them food they’ll actually eat can be a tough challenge. With a little know-how though, you can turn your family’s favorite meals into more healthful options without them even noticing. Here’s how to sneak in better health without sacrificing taste!
- Go lean
Choose leaner cuts of beef and pork, like beef round or pork loin. These will give you full flavor without more fat. When cooking ground beef, choose leaner options and drain off the fat once it’s cooked.
- Add more plant-based proteins
Your kids might love chicken nuggets, but if you swap them out for plant-based ones, they won’t even notice. Make your own dipping sauce to avoid processed ingredients and watch them gobble it up. Plant-based products are available at most supermarkets and will surprise you with their genuine meaty tastes that have no animal products in them. You can and should also use more beans when possible. Toss them into soups for more texture and protein, or blend them up once cooked to get a creamy texture.
- Thicken sauces smarter
Want a rich and creamy sauce? Skip the whole milk and use fat-free evaporated milk instead.
- Cream smarter too
There’s something so comforting about cream-based sauces and soups. You can get just as much rich flavor without all the fat and calories though by gradually moving toward lower-fat products for milk and yogurt. Start with 2% and work your way down to adjust to the change in taste.
- Choose cheese wisely
Not all cheese is bad for you. The right cheeses in moderation are great for your health. Learn to use part-skim mozzarella and reduced-fat feta in your dishes.
- Go fish
Make fish more often in your home. It’s better for your health, and it cooks very quickly, ensuring you’ve got a healthy, delicious meal on the table fast!
- Measure out your oil
Olive oil might be healthy, but it contains 120 calories per tablespoon. That means if you’re pouring it into your pan without measuring it, you could be adding tons more calories to a dish that would be considered healthy. Use your measuring spoons to get it right!
- Use herbs for flavor
Too much salt is never a good thing. Make your foods taste great without adding anything bad for you by using fresh herbs. As a bonus, most fresh herbs have antioxidants and vitamins in them that we could use more of, making your dish both tastier and healthier.
- Squeeze on some citrus
One way to really add another layer of flavor to a dish naturally is by using lemon, lime, or even orange. Try squeezing some over your sautéed chicken breast, or using it in a marinade or salad dressing. Citrus adds great flavor and keeps you healthy too.
Try these tips when you make dinner tonight to lighten things up without lessening the flavor!