Healthy Foods That Tastes Better
Secrets for Making Healthy Food Taste Better
Healthy foods have gotten a bad rap over the years, ever since the proliferation of health food supermarkets serving up overpriced, bland and tasteless foods under the guise of "eating right." The truth is that healthy foods are a normal part of nature and can be prepared in ways that bring out all the flavor and delicious taste that you crave. Losing weight by eating healthy does not have to be a miserable task. Read on for some ways to combine ordinary, healthy foods together in order to get the most nutritional value, while enjoying every bite.
Some foods that are considered "super healthy" may not be your preference to eat alone, so try mixing small portions of them into larger portions of foods that you do enjoy. Lentils are one of the most power-packed legumes available, with about 30 percent of their calories coming from protein. If you are not crazy about the taste of them on their own, take a few spoonfuls of cooked lentils and mix them into other things such as pasta sauces or various soups. You will hardly notice the difference in flavor, as lentils tends to be a little bland. You will, however, be getting a big boost in nutrition while eating those other foods that you love.
Beans are another healthy food that can be easily mixed into other favorite dishes. Try pureeing them first, then scoop small amounts into scrambled eggs, stews, casseroles and sauces. They can even be mixed in small amounts into smoothies and shakes. If you are trying to lose weight and have cut down on fats and other flavor-enhancing things, then pureed beans can actually add back in some of the flavor you are craving.
Salsa is packed with vitamin C, as well as high levels of vitamins A, E and K. Purchase it fresh in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store, or make your own with fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and juice from a fresh lime. Refrain from using salsa that has been stored with preservatives in cans or jars. Not only does the fresh version taste far better, it retains the valuable nutrients that are significantly lost during processing methods. Salsa is not just for dipping chips in - it can be added to dozens of recipes that you already use daily. Add it to eggs, salads, soups and sauces, or try putting it in the blender with ice and extra lime, for a refreshing cold vegetable drink.
When making up a fresh salad, try sprinkling in some healthy seeds for a quick protein boost that is also rich in important vitamins. Hemp seeds are composed of over 30% protein and 40% fiber, while sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E for anti-oxidant qualities. Sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds all are excellent sources of vitamins and can be mixed in with many other dishes. If consuming them whole is not your preference, try grinding them up first.
An important thing to remember when incorporating any healthy food into your diet is to make sure that you actually like the taste. Don't be afraid to experiment, but never force yourself to eat things that you do not enjoy. Go for smaller amounts of healthy foods that are mixed in with ordinary, everyday recipes.
Losing weight will rarely bring about the satisfaction you are hoping for unless you do it the right way, by learning to prepare and enjoy nutritious foods. The secret is to learn how to incorporate them into your life in a way that brings both flavor and fun to your table. Put some of the ideas you've learned here into practice today.