As our generation is becoming more aware of our choices it would seem natural to wonder which way is the best way to cook. For many years a lot of food was deep fried. That is now changing except in fast food restaurants where you still can get fries, onion rings, chicken and fish burgers. Although most establishments have changed the type of oil used it is still not the best choice due to the food absorbing a large amount of oil and destroying essential vitamins that are deposited into the deep fryer.
Boiling also diminishes the food value as we tend to throw out the water when were done. The only exception would be if we made it all into a homemade soup or gravy.
Broasting is the best way to get food value as we can watch, stir and even lift the food we broil. Although they do have costs associated with the process, they are not as high as boiling them enable us to have a nutritious meal.
Although not effective in eliminating food from our diet as it still has nutritional value, consumption of the protein will help to preserve our lean muscle mass and appearance.
It is not all bad news vegetarians as you can still have meat and fish and have a healthy diet. The problem is the proportion of the dinners we have. Our dinners tend to be more based on protein, carbohydrates, and fats rather than taste and very little meat. However, by consuming protein and other foods we can make sure that we are getting all the nutrition we need to stay healthy and active.
Carrots, beans, zucchini, eggplant and other vegetables can be used to replace meat and fish. Adding a bit of butter, cream and cheese to a pasta or rice dish will not only satisfy a person’s hunger, it will also help to reduce the amount of work it might have to do in order to eat dinner.
Fruits and nuts are also wonderful for lunch and breakfast. Drinking a bit of fruit juice as well as eating a small piece of natural bread is a good combination for a healthy diet.
There are plenty of recipes for more of these while healthy omelets, stir fries and meals for this type of food are readily available. The idea is to choose dishes that can be prepared ahead so that the only thing you have to do on the day is prepare the food in advance.
Choosing a weekend lunch meal is harder than it seems and sometimes it is simply a case of the leftovers in the fridge or in the freezer. Following a few simple practices and guidelines for the week will help you to choose a healthy meal for the family and avoid picking up after yourself.
Avoiding menus is easier than you think as many restaurants are now using healthy options. Even if the restaurants do not make the salad or the pasta dish healthy it is easy enough to make the list yourself before going out.
For Meals that require the preparation of a main dish, such as spaghetti or lasagna, it is a good idea to ensure that you have made the preparation the day before. Then if required, all you have to do is take the time to prepare the food the night before. Main course salads are easy to prepare and if you pick a healthy menu selection, you will be able to enjoy the food and still get the nutrition that you need.
For Vegetarians
Vegetarians have been looking at meat in a different way. They are not worried about it, but rather focussed on the fatty aspects. However, a long time ago, such meal choices were not very available. Today, companies are creating alternatives that are meals you would expect to eat. Soy meals are replacing meat these days and so are several other alternatives.
You can also use tofu in place of meat. Vegetarians have been doing this for years and it is a healthy alternative. The bad thing about such soy products is that they also contain high levels of protein. Protein is not essential to eating the said products, however it is required if you are eating a diet that is high in protein and low in saturated fats.
Basically, any alternative to meat can be used with a little bit of creativity. Look for low fat, low salt soy and rice products. That way you can add flavor and still get all the nutrition that you need plus without worrying about your diet.
Using Soy in the place of Meat
There are many ways to use soy as an alternative to meat. Meat can be prepared with beans instead of with soybeans. That way, you get all the protein and all the flavor that meat has to offer. Soy meals can also be used in the place of red meat. Use tofu, bean curd or silken tofu instead of hamburger or steak. This will make your dinner much healthier and much easier to digest.
