| Cooking healthy for your family is important for | | | | 2) Stick To Lean Meats And Fish: Lean meats and |
| everyone. Not only will you be eating healthy meals, | | | | fish are an important part of your diet. However, too |
| but your children will learn a lot from eating healthy. | | | | much meat can actually cause health problems. This is |
| They will get to experience healthy foods that they | | | | why adding fish to at least two meals a week can |
| may have not even tried before, or wanted to. They | | | | increase your health. Lean meats are better for you |
| will learn how to cook healthy meals so that they can | | | | because they have less fat and sometimes less |
| pass down this tradition to their own children in the | | | | cholesterol than the other meats. Look for lean |
| future. They will also come to enjoy healthy meals | | | | meats in your grocery store. Don't be afraid to |
| better than junk or foods that are bad for them. | | | | experiment with different types of fish: salmon, tuna |
| Cooking healthy meals for your family will give | | | | steaks, haddock, cod, etc. Fish has important fatty |
| everyone the energy they need for a full day, give | | | | acids that are excellent for your body and mind. |
| them better concentration and focus, and help them | | | | 3) Watch The Fat You Use: Try to wean off of real |
| do well in life. This will not deprive your family in any | | | | butter and other fatty foods. If you must use real |
| way. You will all be getting the proper nutrients you | | | | butter remember that just one tab of it a day is |
| need without completely passing on all treats. Eating | | | | enough - no more. There are other options to |
| healthy is important for your health - not just now, | | | | choose from than just butter or lard. Add some of |
| but for the future as well. Studies have shown that | | | | these items to your kitchen and your meals: olive oil, |
| eating healthy can help to reduce the risks of various | | | | avocado, vegetable oil, butter spread made from |
| ailments, heart disease, stroke, and many cancers. | | | | olive oil, etc. You can also try using spices for your |
| You can help your family lead a healthier life by | | | | meals instead of fats. Try balsamic vinegar on your |
| cooking healthy meals. | | | | salad instead of salad dressing, or vinegar and olive oil. |
| Guidelines For Healthy Cooking - | | | | These can make great alternatives to other fatty |
| 1) Use Plenty of Fruits And Vegetables: Fruits and | | | | foods. |
| vegetables are often overlooked in today's diet. | | | | 4) What You Drink Counts Too! Do not forget about |
| However, fruits and vegetables are very important | | | | what you drink. As adults, we tend to not pay any |
| because they have vitamins, minerals and even | | | | attention to what we choose for beverages. A |
| antioxidants to keep you healthy, strong and help | | | | simple can of soda can have a lot of calories, sodium, |
| you fight illnesses. It is important to use fresh | | | | sugar, and more in it. It doesn't really matter if it is |
| ingredients when cooking. Do not overcook your | | | | diet or not. It is still unhealthy. Cut down on drinks like |
| vegetables, as this will take out some of the | | | | soda, juices, coffee, and tea. You can healthily have |
| nutritional value of them. Consider serving your | | | | coffee and tea about two times a day - that's two |
| vegetables raw or just blanch them (boil for about 5 | | | | cups a day, especially if you use sugar and cream. |
| minutes). Kids will especially love blanched veggies | | | | Try using lemon in your tea instead of honey or |
| because it brings out their colors and makes them a | | | | sugar. The best thing to drink is water. Always try to |
| little bit softer. Blanching doesn't take out nutrients | | | | choose water over any other drink. Kids should not |
| because you are only boiling them for 5 minutes. Just | | | | have more than two cups of juice a day because of |
| wait for the water to boil and place the veggies in. | | | | the sugar. Make sure they get water everyday - and |
| Put them on ice after the 5 minutes to stop the | | | | you too! |
| cooking process. You may also want to serve fruits | | | | 5) Treats In Moderation Are Ok: This is not a fad |
| with dinnertime as well. Most people don't and that is | | | | diet. This is a lifestyle change for you and your family. |
| why most people don't get enough fruit in their daily | | | | Yes, you can have treats in moderation. Have |
| diet. Serve a fruit and veggie with each meal. | | | | something every once in a while. |