Tasteful Tips

There's a lot of advice out there on how to eat healthy, and if we're being honest, it can sometimes feel like too much to think about. However, making major changes to your diet can sometimes be too much to do. Instead of making big changes, it may be better to start with a few smaller ones. Here are some tips which may help you.

·       Always buy your fruits and vegetables from local market and local vendors instead of supermarkets. In local market you may get fresh stock that will not wilt quickly and foods retain their nutritional value. You will be eating seasonal fruits and vegetables which are highly recommended for healthy diet.

·    Add fruits to salad for a change. Instead of iceberg lettuce, use deep green leafy vegetables.

·       For making pan cakes (cheelas, dosas) use pan sprays. Spray the pan when it is cold, then place over the flame. Once the pan is hot, you can add a small amount of healthy olive oil.

·      Season the steamed vegetables with lemon, herbs, vinegar, onions and spices instead of butter and sauces.

·        To boost nutrition add diced vegetables/boiled chicken to your soups.

·       You can thicken soups without added butter and flour. Cook the vegetables with broth, onions, garlic and seasoning – then puree it all in the blender with a little nonfat milk.

·     Replace the refined grains with whole grains. Choose whole grain bread instead of traditional refined grain bread. Try brown rice, whole wheat pasta and crackers.

·        Don’t shop without a list. There are two important points to be kept in mind when you go for grocery shopping- make your shopping list ahead of time and don’t go to the store hungry. This will avoid buying unnecessary and unhealthy items.

·      Bake or roast instead of grilling and frying. Healthier cooking methods include baking, broiling, simmering, slow-cooking, poaching, pressure cooking and stewing.

·     Replace your French fries with baked or boiled potatoes. 100 gms of baked potato contains 97 calories, while same amount of French fries contain 319 calories.

·      Eat your fruits instead of drinking them. Many fruit juices are not even made of real fruits, but rather concentrate and sugar. Because fruits contain fiber and various plant compounds, their sugars are generally digested very slowly and do not cause major spikes in blood sugar levels.

·    Stay away from “DIET” foods- They are usually labeled as ‘fat-free’, ‘low fat’, ‘fat reduced’ or ‘low fat’. To compensate for the lost flavor and texture that the fat provided, sugar and other ingredients are often added. So, many diet foods end up containing more sugar and sometimes even more calories than their full fat counterparts. Instead, opt for whole foods like fruits and vegetables.

·     Eat popcorn instead of chips- For healthy popcorn, try making your own popcorn at home( not microwave varieties) or purchase air-popped popcorn. Many commercial varieties prepare their popcorn with fat, sugar and salt, making it no healthier than potato chips.

·       Go for fresh lime water, coconut water instead of aerated drinks.

Together all these tips will have a big impact on making your overall diet healthier and sustainable, without a huge change in your habits.  If you find the tips useful, do share with your family and friends. Your feedback is always appreciable.

     

                                               Healthy eating!