We use oil to cook most of our meals but did you know there are cooking methods that do not require any oil? If you are someone who is watching their weight, you can certainly use these methods to prepare your meals. Have at least one meal which does not require oil usage. Nutritionist Akansha Jhalani tells us four such cooking methods.
Steaming
As the name suggests, this cooking method uses steam or vapour to cook food. Another advantage of steaming your food is that the nutrients aren’t lost and you are less likely to under or overcook your food. You can also steam multiple vegetables in one go. Once you steam them, you can garnish them with herbs and spices to enhance the flavour of your food.Here’s how you can steam your food.
Grilling
Grilling is a quick cooking method where the food is directly exposed to the heat at a very high temperature which helps cook it in minutes. This also helps retain most of the nutrients and keeps the calorie-count low. Grilling can be used for vegetables such as peppers, corn, and even meat and burgers. You’ll need a grill pan or cooking grill to try this cooking method.
Poaching
This is another method where you do not have to use oil, instead water is used just before it reaches its boiling point. This helps in cooking food in a healthier manner. Even though not all foods can be poached, you can poach eggs and have them for breakfast. Even fruits such as pear and apple can be poached.
Barbecuing
There is a difference between grilling your food and barbecuing it. When you barbecue it, the food is not directly exposed to the heat and is also cooked at a lower temperature which means it takes slightly longer to cook it. But it is still better than deep-frying your meat. Even paneer, tofu, etc. can be barbecued. Also know why baking is better than frying.
Though you may not be able to cook all meals in these styles, you can certainly try them out and incorporate them one by one. For example, instead of sautéing your vegetables every day, you can steam them every once in a while. Also, you can have a grilled steak instead of deep-fried meat. Barbecuing can be a fun activity for the weekend with family and friends instead of going out for junk food. Also try these 13 simple cooking hacks to make your meals healthier.
Originally published on www.healthsite.com