Once you decide you are going to make healthier food choices, it doesn’t mean you have to change all the foods you eat. You can also make healthier choices by changing a few ingredients or preparing food in a different way.
Listed below are some tips you can follow to help you make a healthier choice.
Choosing your food
- Write a shopping list before you reach the shops and try to stick to it.
- Keep your cupboards and fridge stocked with healthy ingredients so that you always have them on hand to cook a meal.
- Choose lean meats.
- Switch from full-fat to reduced-fat dairy products.
- Re-think the soft drink - water or reduced-fat milks are healthier drink options.
- Check the nutrition information panel on packages foods to compare foods to help make a healthier choice.
Preparing your food
- Cut all visible fat off meat before cooking.
- Learn interesting ways to prepare fruit and vegetables.
- Check recipes for new ways to spice up a salad or vegetable side dish.
- When you prepare your lunch for work each day, pack your favourite fruit or vegetables to crunch on as snacks, instead of biscuits.
Cooking your food
- Switch from butter to margarine or olive oil spreads.
- Try baking, steaming, stir-frying or microwaving food instead of frying in oil.
- When roasting a portion of meat, trim the fat and brush with a marinade to add flavour and prevent the meat drying out.