How to Cut Calories and Eat Healthier

Cooking naturally may seem quite simple, but are you really cooking in a natural way? Do you cook fresh food from scratch, or do you rely on pre-packaged and frozen dinners most of the time? If you are guilty of the latter, rest assured, you aren’t alone. In the fast paced world we live in today, many people feel rushed and pressured, and turn to convenience foods instead. Of course, some people are just plain lazy too… 😉

Eat Healthy Food - Cut Calories

Cancer and other diseases are on the rise, and poor eating habits like these really aren’t helping the situation.

Cooking naturally is actually a lot easier than you might think, and doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. The best way to start is by planning to cook one meal each day that contains lots of fresh ingredients. To keep the cost down, only buy fresh ingredients which are in season locally. They are cheaper and fresher and it just makes plain sense to do so.

For instance in fall, use apples, squash and pumpkin to make all kinds of delicious recipes. You should try grilling butternut squash on the BBQ. It’s easy to scoop out afterwards and doesn’t require the addition of butter. Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to noodles, and even your kids will be happy to try them.

During the summer, fresh berries are cheap and plentiful, so use them to make healthy desserts and breakfast shakes. Try mixing a handful of strawberries with plain yogurt and cottage cheese, and then blend them up into a tasty smoothie treat.

Healthy Food Image

Even if you feel rushed for time, you can still cook naturally. Add a side salad or grilled vegetables to your dinner, and grill or bake some chicken or fish. There are lots of meals that can be cooked in thirty minutes or less, that are very healthy.

On the weekends when you have a little more time, you can make up a pot of chicken or vegetable soup. The next time you roast a turkey or chicken, use the leftovers and make a healthy soup from them. It’s not only delicious, but also low in fat.

Instead of ordering Pizza, make your own by using English muffins or pitas as the base. Then add a selection of toppings, or let each person build their own personal pizza. These pizzas only take minutes to bake and will be ready in the same time it would take to order in a pizza. Except of course, you are saving yourself money, and improving your diet at the same time.

It really doesn’t take that much effort to start cooking with natural ingredients more often. Next time you are out shopping, grab an assortment of fruits and vegetables, and incorporate them into your meal plan. Your body and your family will love you for it… oh, and your pocket will too!

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