I’ve been reading comments and complaints about lock-down weight gain. It hasn’t been a concern for us because life continued on pretty normally chez nous.

Well…. normally if you discount the fact that we weren’t leaving the house most days.

We have a big house and a big property with lots of space so we have plenty of room to roam. Because we are ‘retired’ (quotes because we both work…. sort of) we don’t need to go out often. Prior to the pandemic we went shopping or to class or to markets or events in the village 2 or 3 times per week. So that means that we normally spend 4 or 5 days every week at home. 1 or 2 more wasn’t a big deal.

Okay, some weeks it was a big deal but my point, if I ever get there, is we didn’t gain weight.

Had we lived in an apartment in a city I have no idea how we would have coped.

Because it looks like we will be staying close to home for awhile longer, a post on healthy eating seemed a good idea. Read on:

8 Easy Tips to Lighten Up Any Recipe

Cooking is an art which a lot of people love. Cooking elevates your mood and cheers you up. A bad day can be instantly boosted with a bowl of mac and cheese or your favorite homemade mug cake. Cooking is an art to express emotion. The important part comes down to healthy eating. A parent is always on the search to lighten up recipes that have to be both nourishing and tasty. The thought of healthy meals may have only occurred when one starts to notice that pounds are creeping on. If you don’t want to compromise your taste buds, without high-calorie intake, here are few tips to lighten up any recipe.

 Use low sodium

A high amount of sodium levels in the diet results in water retention and other health problems like hypertension and heart diseases. To avoid a high intake of sodium use low sodium alternatives of common stapes like broths, condiments, and canned goods like tomatoes and beans. Also, try using half the level of sodium that is mentioned in the recipe.

Sauté without oil

A couple of spoons of low-sodium vegetable broth can be used instead of oil or butter to stir fry some vegetables. The calories that are added by oil or butter are saved and can be used somewhere else. In addition to it, the broth also adds nice flavor and moisture to the dish. Or else veggies can be sautéed using healthy olive oil.

Choose the right cheese

Cheese is a calorie burst in any recipe. One slice of cheese can result in adding back all the calories that you reduced by exercising. But cheese can be hard to resist. Choose a cheese that has intense flavor instead of one that is mildly flavored. By choosing highly flavored cheese, you can use a little amount of cheese and get the desired effect, unlike a mildly flavored one which has to be used in large quantities. You can choose cheeses like reduced-sodium feta, sharp cheddar, or aged parmesan. Light cheese wedges are also a better option when it comes to less calorie intake.

Puree up your recipe

Replace the heavy creams, butter, cheese, and other fats in your baked goods with purees. You can get organic baby purees which can be used in various recipes. This will also increase the fiber and the nutrient content of the dish. For example, adding carrot puree to meatless spaghetti will improve its texture. Also adding bean puree into soups will increase its flavor and thicken with fewer calories.

Sizzle with citrus

Squeezing some citrus into your plate will increase the flavor punch without adding calories. It can be used on steamed veggies instead of butter and as a dressing for salads. It adds some zing when squeezed on pasta. The zest of the citrus-like orange, lemon, or lime leverages the taste of the dish. Baked seafood tastes terrific with citrus zest.

Make your breadcrumbs

Instead of using purchased white bread crumbs, you can make a healthy version of the same at home with whole wheat or multigrain bread. Freeze your whole grain bread, toast them and grind them in a coffee grinder or normal grinder. Panko bread crumb works wonders with fried foods like chicken tenders. It works well when it is baked instead of fried.

Veggies for healthy meals

Five serving fruits and veggies can be easily accomplished when cooking at home. Veggies can complement any dish. It adds a bunch of nutrient and fiber content to the dish making it a particularly healthy meal. You can hide chopped or shredded carrots, zucchini, asparagus, and mushrooms in omelets, pasta, or spaghetti. Include fresh or frozen spinach in pasta sauces and soups to add nutrients. Adding veggies has endless opportunities in any dish.

Trimmed and lean meat

Using lean meat like skinless chicken, light sausage or lean beef or pork won’t compromise the flavor of the dish but it can reduce the calorie level. Also, trimming visible fat from the meat before using it can shave off calories.

Bottom line

The journey of healthy living starts with a healthy meal. Follow these steps and start your journey today without any trade-off with your taste buds. Cook your meal but with a healthy twist.