For years, food companies could pretty much decide on their own what nutrition information to put on a package. Today, however, federal regulations require most foods to carry labels with a detailed accounting of what’s inside. Here’s what to look for: Serving Size This tells you what size portion the nutritional information on the label [...]
The Best Ingredients To Put In a Healthy Smoothie
Smoothies are ideal as a light meal or a satisfying snack. A quality blender can combine the healthiest ingredients into a smooth elixir with fantastically fresh flavor. A healthy smoothie seduces you with the pastel look of a thick milkshake. Since you personally select the ingredients, you know the combination spells G-O-O-D H-E-A-L-T-H. Here are [...]
How To Stock A Pantry With Basic Ingredients
What basic ingredients would you suggest keeping around the house for a person who needs to cook quickly but doesn’t want to sacrifice taste? My basic pantry contains ingredients that can be mixed and matched in a snap: canned, fat-free chicken broth; canned vegetable broth; chunky salsa; Italian seasoning; 10-minute brown or white rice in [...]
Low-Fat Popcorn Recipes – Healthy And Tasty Toppings
Popcorn can be a diet aid, or a diet destroyer, depending on what you top it with. Seasoning mixes are notorious for ending up in the bottom of the popcorn bowl when there is no butter present to make the spices stick to each kernel. However, I do know a low-fat trick to help the [...]
Does One Tablespoon Mean A Level Or Heaping Spoon?
When a recipe calls for “one tablespoon” of something, does that mean a heaping tablespoon or a level tablespoon? If you’re following the recipe word for word, one tablespoon means a level measuring spoon. Be sure to follow recipes exactly and be precisely level on your measurements when preparing baked goods or pastries. When I [...]
How Long Can I Keep Leftovers In The Refrigerator?
A practical rule of thumb my wife, Karen, and I use to keep our leftovers fresh and our refrigerator organized: Every week on garbage day, go through your leftovers (I define leftovers as cooked food that is refrigerated). Open each container and look at the food. Throw out any leftover that’s been there for a [...]
Low-Fat Baking Substitutions
How should I go about substituting canola or safflower oil for butter or shortening in baking recipes? Liquid oils are ideal for baking, especially if you want to reduce saturated fats in your desserts. However, you must be ready for different end results than those you get from your standard recipe that uses butter or [...]
Is Organic Food Better For You And Worth The Extra Cost?
Yes, organic food is better — and better for you. In addition, organic growing practices are better for the earth and the people who grow your food. If you suspect you are going to get less chemicals and more good food on your plate with organically grown fruits and vegetables, you’re absolutely right. But it [...]
Cooking Without Wine – Alcohol Substitutions
If a recipe calls for wine, what can be used in its place? Wine is often used as a deglazing liquid, to dissolve the carmelized flavor on the surface of a sauté or roasting pan. As the alcohol steams off the wine’s flavor adds aroma to the sauce or glaze. Wine is not essential in [...]
How To Make Low-Fat Pasta
I make a Garlic & Herb Butter Sauce for pasta dishes. I know that this is high in fat and cholesterol mainly because it is all butter. Is there a way to keep the great taste but reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol? Yes — leave out the butter! You can rise to a [...]
How Can You Eat Healthy On A Budget
I am a university student on a very limited budget. How can I reduce the fat in my meals without spending a fortune? That’s an easy answer: Learn to cook. You won’t have to pay restaurants or convenience food companies to cook for you. And you get a big bonus: You control the ingredients and [...]
How To Cook Fish Properly
I do not like fish. What are some herbs and spices that make fish more flavorful? I want to help you like fish! Masking its flavor is not the answer; the key is cooking fish properly. First, always buy fresh fish. Ask your seafood clerk to smell the raw fish before it’s wrapped. Fresh fish [...]
Low-Fat Meat Grilling Options
I like to grill outside and keep my dish lowfat. I get tired of chicken and fish. Is beef a lowfat food, or is there any other main dish that I can try? Lucky for you, grilling is a low-fat cooking method. Usually, what you grill determines the amount of fat in the dish. Beef, [...]
How To Buy The Right Cookware
I would like info on what to look for in buying cookware, and what brands of medium priced cookware you recommend. If you are a highly skilled cook or love to cook as a hobby, I recommend All-Clad, Calphalon or Le Creuset pots and pans. If you cook regularly and prefer no-fuss, family-style cooking, I [...]
Pleasing Vegetarians And Meat Lovers Without Cooking Two Meals
How do I make a family meal for two vegetarians and two meat-eaters? I’m out of ideas and tired of cooking two different meals. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Your dilemma is more common than you might think. But a little creative cooking can bring the family back together at the dinner table. First, always [...]