While you may have a whole list of food that you love to eat, many of them are probably not on a list of the healthiest foods to eat. The foods we love and crave are not always the ones that are the best for us. However, after years and years of professional cooking experience, caterers tend to have some great tips and tricks to help you make your favorite foods not only taste good but healthier for you as well. In fact, many catering services in Melbourne are experts at this! Luckily, we have some of the best tips here that will help make all those dishes that you love to eat (and order!) healthy.
#1 Skip The Butter
We all know that butter tastes delicious. It adds that rich, creamy taste to anything that it is in. However, butter is not the healthiest option. Butter is full of saturated fats which have been directly linked to high cholesterol levels. So, while butter may taste good, it can literally clog your arteries when eaten in excess.
Butter is very easy to replace in many recipes which is great news for your health! When cooking up dinner, lunch, or anything savory, skip the butter and use olive oil instead. Olive oil is considered a monounsaturated fat which can actually help lower cholesterol levels- sounds much better, right?! So act like the professional caterers and drizzle some olive oil in a pan to saute your veggies and your body will thank you!
If you are getting ready to bake a cake, muffins, or maybe you’re making a pie, skip the butter and give coconut oil a try instead. Coconut oil has a lot of the same properties as butter. It is solid when cold, liquid when warm, and it is also a saturated fat- but it is a healthier saturated fat! Coconut oil gives your body quick energy, raises the HDL cholesterol levels (the good cholesterol) and has been shown to help fight bacteria and viruses thanks to the acid it contains. One other plus, it just tastes great! Add a little tropical flavor to your baking along with some health benefits by skipping the butter and going with coconut oil instead.
#2 Bye Bye Salt
Salt is another tricky ingredient to simply dismiss. Salt adds so much flavor to foods, and it is very easy to just add a teaspoon here or a quick sprinkle there. However, eating a lot of salt can be detrimental to your health.
Exceeding the recommended amount of salt can lead to terrible health effects like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, kidney failure, and a whole list of other problems. One of the biggest issues with salt is that once you grow accustomed to eating it, you will crave more and more and more…. Soon you’ll be piling on the salt at every meal! How can you break this cycle? Why not ask your local caterer?
Rather than reach for the salt, you should instead reach for the spices. It is true that salt adds a lot of flavor to foods, but spices can do the same and without all of the dangerous side effects. A sprinkle of garlic powder, chili powder, or even a pinch of turmeric is going to add life to your food instantly. You will discover new tastes and, all the while, stay healthy! Each spice also has its own long list of health benefits which can only mean one thing- add some more!
#3 More Veggies
Most of us know that vegetables are healthy and we should eat as many of them as possible. This is easier said than done. Sometimes you just don’t want to eat broccoli at breakfast or consider a dessert made with avocados. Luckily, caterers know how to sneak vegetables into every meal without you ever knowing!
At breakfast, try blending some vegetables into a morning smoothie. Spinach and kale are two great examples of vegetables that don’t need to be cooked but can just be tossed into a blender along with some berries, fruits, and yogurt to make a healthy, veggie-packed breakfast. You will never even notice the taste of these subtle greens!
When lunchtime rolls around, skip the regular old tortilla wrap and give a lettuce wrap a try. Place all of your usual fillings onto a large piece of lettuce and roll it up. Not only will you eat fewer carbs when you ditch the wrap, but your vegetable intake will improve!
For dinner, try to fill at least ⅓ of your plate with healthy veggies. Steamed carrots, roasted asparagus, or a small salad are all great examples of vegetable side dishes that will go with so many main courses. Never skip those veggies! Almost all scientists, nutritionists, and caterers agree that they are so good for you.
Next time you are getting ready to cook, remember these three simple recommendations from catering services in Melbourne. Soon, your meals will get healthier, and you will feel great about the simple switches you made. Happy cooking!
Related Article: 6 Healthy Breakfast Recipes–That Won’t Take Hours To Prep
