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The Advantages Of Cooking Low Calorie Foods

By Milos Pesic

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Published: 07Feb2012
Word count: 2044
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Whether dieting to lose extra pounds or just seeking respite from a heavy meal on a warm evening, a delicious dish that is light on fat and calories always fills the bill.

However, frustrated dieters and healthy eaters alike know that the use of the words delicious and light in the same sentence is - at the very least - suspicious. Now you can revel in the knowledge that a little effort and attention to detail can reap fantastic culinary rewards.

Vegetables are the centerpiece of healthy cooking. Naturally low in calories and high in nutritional value, they can be molded into meals that are surprisingly flavorful. Steaming, sauteing and stir frying are the best cooking methods when it comes to retaining valuable vitamins and minerals and maximizing flavor without adding unnecessary calories.

Remember also that raw vegetables boast the highest nutrient counts and are a source of healthy fiber. Protein, also an essential dietary nutrient, is not exclusive to meat-based dishes. Low-fat, highenergy alternatives include beans, tofu and part-skim cheeses. Rest assured that "light" does not mean simple or flavorless. Insist on fresh ingredients - fruit, vegetables and low-fat dairy products - to maximize flavors.

Accept that the use of rich creams, fattening oils, lots of salt and other traditional additives is just not necessary. Count on flavored vinegars, fresh herbs and spices, non-fat yogurt, low-fat mayonnaise and other low-calorie foods to make your recipes sing. Know also that health-conscious chefs saute their vegetables in sherry or wine (rather than oil or butter), which creates a type of "flavor seal" as the food cooks.

Perhaps the most effortless but potentially elegant light suppers are colorful and creative salads. A large salad, served with chilled soup and whole-grain bread or crackers offers up a satisfying meal for dieters or anybody looking for a healthy, high-energy alternative to fatty fast food.

A plain lettuce and tomato version, on the other hand, would leave even the most experimental meat-and-potato eater untempted. Lure them to the light side by tossing in a variety of veggies, fruit, pastas, beans, rice and other healthy foods. Combine different colors, tastes and textures to render a salad heartier and more satisfying.

However, don't sabotage a healthy creation with fattening store-bought salad dressings. Make your own flavorful dressings by pureeing fresh vegetables like tomatoes, celery, bell peppers and onion and mixing them with flavored vinegar and fresh herbs and spices.

Replace sour cream, heavy cream or mayonnaise with nonfat yogurt, low-fat mayonnaise or even tofu in creamy dressings. When it comes to preparing sophisticated, satisfying, low-calorie meals, knowledge is key.

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