Do you love to cook for yourself and your family? This is a pastime that has given you many hours of joy. But you may be burnt out on using certain types of ingredients. The good news is that there are plenty of other choices. Here are 5 healthy alternatives to common cooking ingredients that you can now make use of.
1. Use Seasoning Alternatives
There are a very wide variety of healthy and tasty alternatives for certain seasonings to help you make healthier choices.
For instance, if you are concerned about the amount of salt you have been taking in, you can replace it and use salt alternatives. According to Boulder Salt Company, “the truth is, sodium isn’t the bad guy. We need sodium to live. The key is to get sodium in moderation, and to combine it with the other nutrients that we need to have healthy lives… this includes making sure that we’re getting enough of the other minerals in our diet to make it healthy: magnesium, calcium and potassium.”
There are also plenty of other spices that you can use as a salt alternative. These can range from the standard thyme and rosemary to more recent favorites like basil and cumin. You can even try some old kitchen standbys such as garlic, onion, or paprika. If your meal calls for a tangy or sour taste, you can use lemons or other citrus fruits. It’s a great low-calorie alternative. If your meal calls for spice, you can use some tangy peppers, such as cayenne or chili, to give your meal a zesty flavor. You’ll be so busy enjoying the thrill of a spicy sensation that you won’t even notice the lack of salt.
2. Substitute Applesauce for Oil
Many families have seriously cut down on the amount of fried food that they eat. The most common healthy alternative has been baking such foods as chicken, potatoes, and others. You should be aware that you can now make baking your meals an even healthier experience. This is great news for your arteries.
Did you know that applesauce is a great new alternative for oil when you bake? For example, the next time you bake a cake or make brownies, use applesauce in place of at least half your normal ratio of oil. Doing so will help you make a huge reduction in your calorie intake. You won’t lose any of the yummy flavors.
3. Replace Butter with Avocado
It may be counterintuitive to think of using avocado as a substitute for butter, but it is a great choice for those looking to boost their nutritional intake. Avocado is high in monounsaturated fats, a healthy type of fat. It is also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E.
Try swapping out half of the amount of butter for mashed avocado. Keep in mind that one avocado will produce about three-quarters of a cup. This will save a load of calories and unhealthy fats. You will see the most success if you try this swap with recipes that are made with chocolate. Good choices include cookies, brownies, or cake.
4. Use Egg Whites Instead of Whole Eggs
Many people have been impacted by the recent revelations concerning the exciting new substitutes for common ingredients that have appeared on the scene. One of the most welcome has been a discovery concerning eggs. Did you know that using egg whites in a recipe is usually just as effective as using the whole egg?
You can quite easily substitute 1/4 of a cup of the common egg substitute of your choice for each egg in a recipe. If you don’t have your usual egg substitute to hand, you can just throw in two egg whites. This will be a great way to cut down on the level of cholesterol and fat in your family meal.
5. Use Leaner Meat in Your Beef Dishes
Humans are very fond of meat. No matter how much some folks try to convince us to go veggie, the majority of us just aren’t going for it. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t slim down the number of calories and fat you take in. The best way for you to do so is to use other, healthier types of meat products.
For example, there is plenty of lean ground beef that you can use instead of the garden variety kind. Try a new round of tasty burgers, meatballs, lasagna, and even Hamburger Helper with turkey or chicken. This will give you a new taste sensation and provide a healthy alternative to your usual meal.
Eating Safe is the Best Way to Live
More people all over the world are discovering a host of new ways to eat safely. This is a trend that you should do everything in your power to encourage. You can start by cutting down on the things that you overuse. Making use of new and healthy alternatives to common cooking ingredients is a good way to stay vital.
