Cooking Light

Within the last few years, the issue of eating healthy and living an overall healthy life is a bigger deal within mainstream culture. One of the ways to achieve this is by cooking light and reducing the amount of fat in your meals. Believe it or not, this actually isn't too difficult and you'll be pleased with the results!

A lot of the success of cooking light comes with simply being more aware of what you're putting into your body. You don't want too much fat or sugar and you do want more fiber and protein (but everything should be in reasonable moderation).

The first step in cooking light (and eating well in other aspects of your daily nutrition) starts at the grocery store. Don't shop when you're hungry and don't succumb to the "guilty pleasure foods" if they're not exactly good for you. Go for the 1% or skim milk, the light butter, the healthy cold cereals, the leaner meat, and the lighter cooking oil. It's easy to cook light if you start out by shopping that way.

After you have your groceries and are ready to begin the cooking light process remember that you need to plan your meals to some extent. If you don't plan then you fall victim to the easy, probably not-as-healthy meal choice and that habit of cop-out eating is easy to fall into. It may not be convenient or fun to plan your meals, but if you do, it'll be easier to stick to your plan and eat better.

When you cook light you need to be aware of the fat you use to cook your food and the other sugars and such you put into it. You can use sugar substitutes and light options for other fats and oils. Try adding more protein (like beans, poultry, and fish) to your diet and increase your intake of fruits and veggies. You also may want to try out a cookbook focused on cooking light or subscribe to a cooking light magazine; cooking light usually needs some inspiration and having ready, on-hand ideas and options will increase your ability and desire to cook light.

Once you start cooking light, you'll begin to notice the difference and you'll be healthier and happier as cooking light becomes more habit. Start out with these tips and you're well on your way to successfully cooking light!