Healthy Eating Starts With Kitchen

We are told that we need to eat healthy in order for our bodies to be healthier. Most of us would agree that we need to eat foods that are better for us such as whole grains, lean meats, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits as well as low-fat dairy products. It is difficult to eat healthier if what we have in our kitchens is processed, high-fat or sugary foods. It is important to buy and stock our kitchens with natural, healthier foods in order for our family members to have better choices when they come to the kitchen to make a snack or prepare a meal.

It is important for kids that healthy foods not only taste good but look good too. Arrange a bowl of healthy snacks such as mixed nuts, and dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, or currants in a spot that is easy for kids to reach. Grabbing a handful takes no time at all; they can do that as they walk by. Make sure that your choices you leave for them contain both salty and sweet items. Young, active, growing kids need to eat five or six times a day because they have smaller stomachs than adults and need fuel for their active lives. A healthy snack can consist of fruit, vegetable, dairy or protein as well as a combination of these items. One good example of a healthy snack would be whole-wheat tortilla, beans, and low-fat cheese. Another healthy snack example raisins and granola mixed together and served with a glass of low-fat milk. How about a banana, yogurt and a glass of water? There are many good snack combinations that appeal to kids and are easy for them to get for themselves.

You can make healthy food choices fun for kids by cutting them into fun shapes or by using food color to make them more attractive. Let your child help you shop and prepare the snack. Kids also model how their parents eat, so make sure that you are setting a good example by eating healthy meals and snacks.

Replace your commercialized condiments such as sauces that are high in sodium and artificial additives with homemade versions that use fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice and spices.

Replace your cooking and baking oils with healthier alternatives. Your natural oil choices are "monounsaturated" and "polyunsaturated" and replaces the unhealthy s"aturated" or "transfats". You want to avoid cooking oils such as palm oil, shortening, and palm kernel oil. Stock oils such as sesame, olive, walnut, and flaxseed instead, which are healthier for you and your family members. If you will be cooking foods at high temperatures the choice should be canola oil as it has a higher smoke point. Organic Coconut oil is a good oil to cook with if you need to increase your metabolism.

When preparing salads use sesame oil or flaxseed oil. Sesame oil is high in beta-carotene and flaxseed oil is a good source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. You must refrigerate flaxseed oil.

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