Hey Fitbuddies,
I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t share some low fat cooking tips for you. You’ve made it this far in the holiday season with sensible eating, no need to stop now. Follow these guidelines and your Christmas will be merry and bright. Be blessed and Take Care and Be Well.
Without fat, eating would be a bland and boring pastime. Just as an engine needs oil to run, so do our bodies. The challenge is to it to a minimum and to get it from healthy sources. Not only for those seeking to shed a few pounds but also for overall health and well-being. Keeping dietary fat to 30% or less daily, reduces the risk of heart disease, certain types of cancer and diabetes. As little as a tablespoon a day will keep your body operating efficiently. Here are some ways to cut back:
- Use nonstick cooking spray instead of oil or butter to coat pans before cooking.
- Trim all visible fat from meat and poultry; drain fat from cooked meats.
- Try chicken or turkey sausage and bacon; have at least one meatless meal a week.
- Up the ante on complex carbohydrates, eat more beans and whole grains.
- Use fat free dairy products for full fat ones; oven fry potatoes instead of deep-frying.
- Try mashed pinto beans to moisten and extend ground meats.
- Use herbs, spices, chutneys and salsas to jazz up your meals.
- When baking, replace some of the fat with applesauce, prunes, (Use small jars of baby food for this) or nonfat yogurt.
- Reduced fat or fat free cheese can be substituted for full fat ones, or use a very small amount of a more intensely flavored one like a sharp cheddar.
