Have you ever thought about how your cooking techniques are affecting your health and fitness? Well, it turns out that the way you prepare your favorite meals (even the healthy and wholesome ones) actually changes the way your body metabolizes that food. In other words, it may be necessary for you to change the way you cook to eat better, live longer, and get healthier. It may take some patience and willpower on your part, but if you can follow these simple rules, you should be able to improve your physique in no time.
Cut Out That Processed Food
In this day and age, it can sometimes be difficult to eat as healthily as you should. Hectic schedules often dictate the need for ready-made, processed foods, but this will not be your best option if you truly want to cook to eat better. Instead, you will have to start seriously considering the value of making some of your own dishes. Although you may be on a time constraint, it is possible for you to prepare your food in advance and freeze it in airtight containers for later.
Use Fresh Ingredients Rather Than Canned Ones
Unless you are personally canning your own fresh ingredients into individual mason jars, eating and cooking with food from a can might upset the delicate balance of your healthy diet. When you cook to eat better, you also know the importance of keeping everything on your plate as fresh as possible. Opt for store-bought, organic fruits and vegetables instead of canned, jarred, or prepared versions. You can also grind your own herbs and spices if you want. These healthy cooking choices may require a bit more money, but the benefits will be well worth the cost.
Stop Cooking with Butter and Fattening Oils
It is always a good idea to think about whether or not you truly know how to cook to eat better or if you are ruining all of your good intentions by using fattening oils, artificial spreads, condiments with tons of calories, and/or butters that wreak havoc on your fitness. If you can use options like water, fruit juice, broth, or healthy oils instead of conventional items, then you should be able to cut back on your fat and calorie intake more easily—a habit that could eventually translate into improved health and physical fitness.