Eating right is an important step to improving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A healthy body and lifestyle can’t be achieved through exercise alone, so it is important to know how to cook healthy foods that you and your family will enjoy eating. Eating well doesn’t have to come at the cost of taste. In order to cook a healthy meal, try implementing these ten simple strategies.

1. Always use olive oil instead of butter or canola oil when you can. Olive oil is high in mono saturated fat, and the only cooking oil that does not have overly negative effects on cholesterol.
2. When cooking, avoid high sodium seasonings and marinades. Make sure when purchasing canned foods that you read labels for “low sodium” options and stay away from high sodium pre-packaged foods.
3. Grill or bake foods that you would normally fry or heavily batter.
4. When preparing vegetables, steam them over simmering water. This method will ensure that they lock in flavor and require less salt for seasoning.
5. Purchase a non-stick metal or non-stick metal-coated pan along with non-stick vegetable cooking spray. This way, you have less need to use oils and butters when sautéing.
6. If you have a difficult time getting all your servings of fruits in for the day, try investing in a blender to prepare fruit smoothies as a breakfast for yourself.
7. When preparing rice, pasta or having bread, try purchasing only whole-wheat options. Simple white bread has very little nutrition and is not a complex carbohydrate.
8. Try transitioning to 2 percent, 1 percent or non-fat milk. Full milk has an unnecessary amount of cholesterol in it that outweighs many health benefits.
9. When baking, try substituting applesauce in recopies that allow for it.
10. Using your microwave can be a healthy alternative for many types of cooking, as it does not add on any extra calories.

Remember, cooking healthy foods for you and your family doesn’t have to mean bland foods or an entire change in diet. By making simple changes in the way you prepare your food, you can produce healthier food with little effort.”

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