During the winter months, we often crave all the foods that have a way of expanding our waistlines. One way of curbing our tendancies of tucking into foods that we should only enjoy in moderation is by opting for low-calorie alternatives.
Meatball lasagna is great for pasta lovers. Use whole-wheat pasta, low-fat cheese and keep the pasta sauce light. Opt for lean beef to make sure that these meatballs are delicious without too much unnecessay fat.
Eggplant parmesan is another idea but, instead of frying, bake in a casserole dish instead. This dish is great as a side item or, if you fancy, you could enjoy it as the main item on your plate.
Baked foods are also better and healthier than fried foods and the flavour is often better too. Take chicken snitzel for example. Instead of frying the chicken, you can crumb your chicken, place all the portions on a lined baking sheet and bake until cooked. Baking on a medium heat is ideal because high heat can cause the chicken to dry out.
If you fancy some soup, you could make a fresh pot of tomato soup. Remember, tomato soup does not only contain tomatoes. You can combine canned and fresh tomatoes as well as a couple of carrots and some chopped onions. Blend everything together to make a smooth yet thicker kind of soup. Add some fresh basil and spice with salt and pepper to taste.
Pizza is a treat that we probably all crave at least once a month or so. While we might feel guilty when ordering a cheesy pizza, it’s important to remember that you can make healthy changes to this family favourite. The key is to choose your toppings carefully. More veggies, less fatty meats, and less cheese are all good ideas. Pizzas are usually topped with mozarella and cheddar cheese. If you want to keep it light, you can stick to mozarella and opt out of any other types of cheese. When it comes to your meat choices, you should look for meats that are not high in fat or salt content. Chicken is a good option, for example while salami is not the best idea.
These are just a few great ideas. Remember, for the most part it’s the way the food is cooked rather than the ingredients themselves. When cooking, try to use minimal salt, substitute sugar with natural sweeteners and use healthy oils rather than regular vegetable oil.