We live in an age where health and fitness are bigger priorities than ever before. Even the busiest of people seem to be squeezing in a HIIT class before work, and we're constantly told about the latest fad diet to be on. Plus, fitness accounts on Instagram are some of the most followed across the whole world, often showing an extreme dedication towards a healthy lifestyle. But what do you do if you simply can't dedicate all your time towards your health goals? The good news is, in the real world, not everyone can, and that's ok! For many fitness bloggers, they are also personal trainers, so keeping fit is their full-time job. When you're trying to balance a healthy diet with a career of your own, and running around after your children, it's not quite so simple!
With that in mind, it's easy to see how so many families put healthiness on the backburner and instead opt for convenience foods. A lot of people also consider these to be cheaper than buying fresh food in bulk, but in reality, this is actually doing your family a disservice. Convenience food tends to cost more overall due to the amount of chemicals and additives the companies put in the food. Health-wise, it doesn't look good either. Convenience foods are normally filled with excess fat, salt and sugar. These are all things that have been proven to be addictive if regularly consumed. It's therefore clear that switching to fresh, home-cooked meals is what's best for both you and your children. But whether you're an experienced chef or completely new to the kitchen, there are little things you can do to make sure your food is as healthy as can be.
Be mindful of your oil use
Nearly all of us use oil to cook our food in. This applies whether we are frying, baking or grilling our food. Oils can be heated to a much higher temperature than water, meaning that when our food is doused in oil, it forms a protective layer which prevents burning. There are many different types of oil on the market these days. Olive oils, vegetable oils, sunflower oils are the classic options for most people. But many of us also choose to cook our food in other things, such as duck fat (common at Thanksgiving) and coconut oil. With all these options, it begs the question, which is healthiest? It pretty much goes without saying that cooking your food in fat isn't going to provide you with a very healthy outcome. Of course, it creates an incredible flavour - duck fat, in particular, is a popular choice for cooking roasted potatoes in. But it is a compound which is very high in cholesterol and saturated fats, meaning it won't do wonders for your waistline. Olive oil is the most common choice for a cooking oil and is one of the healthiest too. It is loaded with antioxidants and healthy fats, meaning it is one of the best ways to cook your food. Coconut oil is also popular due to it being another healthy fat, and one that can add a great flavour to your cooking. It works especially well if you are making Asian food.
Consider what cookware you use
When we think of how to cook healthily, we normally consider what the ingredients are or how much of it is served. But you could actually be putting your family's health at risk simply from the pots and pans you use in the kitchen. Many popular types of cookware contain many chemicals that can actually leak into your food during the cooking process. This can leave your meal full of excess amounts of compounds such as aluminium and even lead. These can be potentially dangerous for your health. Non-stick cookware is very convenient, but much of it contains Teflon, which has links to cancer and also reproductive issues. Copper cookware is fashionable at the moment and does admittedly look great. But any leakage can lead to you exceeding your recommended copper allowance, which can potentially be poisonous. You may notice some of the coating come off your pans from time to time, and in these cases, it's better to just dispose of them. After all, that coating which has come off has ended up in your family's food at some point! If you're in any doubt, it is best to stay safe by investing in something such as WearEver Pure Living Cookware Set.
Remember that size matters
When we're plating up our dinner, so many of us don't even consider portion size. Even if you eat a strictly healthy diet, there is always too much of a good thing. In terms of calories, the recommended daily allowance for women is around 2000, and for men it is between 2000 and 2500. If your evening meal along is where you are packing away most of these calories, you may need to consider portion control. Consuming excess calories leads to weight gain, which can lead to a whole host of health problems such as diabetes and heart failure. Thankfully, there are certain tips and tricks you can deploy in your home to stop you and your family overeating. Try serving your meals on smaller plates or bowls, to trick your brain into thinking that you are eating your regular amount. The saying 'eyes bigger than your belly' is often true. We will often eat a gigantic portion of food simply because it is there, not because we are actually hungry. Eating our food slowly is another way to ensure that we don't overeat, or go back for seconds. It takes about 20 minutes for the brain to register that our bellies are full, so take your time with your meal. If you find this hard, try eating your dinner with chopsticks to make it take longer! If nothing else, you and your family will at least have a giggle together. Many of us also struggle with estimating the correct portions for things like rice and pasta. Measuring cups can be your savior here, and also help ensure that you're not wasting food too.
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