Controlling calories without sacrificing taste
Get creative! Here are some tips to get started.
Spice it up. There’s more to seasoning than salt and pepper. Herbs and spices are a wonderful way to add flavor to foods without adding fat and calories. Try oregano on your broccoli, ginger on your carrots or nutmeg on your spinach. You may like marjoram or sage on your chicken or a dash of chili powder on a serving of mild fish.
Experiment. Make a vegetarian version of your favorite spaghetti sauce or casserole. Try lean chicken or ground turkey in recipes that call for beef. Include vegetables in recipes that don’t call for any—and increase the amount of veggies in recipes that do.
Consider alternatives. Use salsas, chutneys, relishes, puries with flavorful oils, such as hot chili or sesame. Roast vegetables to bring out natural sweetness and flavor. Release rich, natural flavors with slow cooking, such as braising or stewing. To reduce fat, trade deep frying for oven frying.
Be adventurous. Break out of a rut with new recipes. Ask your friends for their favorites. Check out your local library or bookstore for low-cal cookbooks. You may find plenty of recipes online as well.
