Best Cooking Methods for Weight Loss

Have you ever thought why most food ordering apps as they are popularly known ‘delivery partners’ in colours red, yellow or orange?
That’s because these colors make the human mind hungry and crave for food. That’s how we end up ordering in these days more than cooking in!!

We would like to share our insights with you on how you can make it a habit to cook food that too with the same enthusiasm as you order!

• Switch to mud pots to cook

We’ve all heard stories of how our ancestors were strong, ate good food and lived a worry-free life. Do you know the ‘cooking vessel’ has a lot to contribute to our wellness? In today’s age, the non-stick vessels we use do more harm than good. They have a toxic release when heated which is called Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

On the other hand, mud pots add nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium to the food you cook. It also ensures the taste of the fruits/veggies/lentils or any other dish you’re preparing is intact and the flavour is not burnt or lost. Buy yourself a mud pot and we are sure you won’t regret it.

Mud pots also help in weight management as you may use very little oil compared to other vessels you use. Pot releases a wonderful flavour plus, doesn’t let your dish burn and you may not need the extra dash of oil to balance these things otherwise.

• Use steam vegetables vs. cooking them all together

Steam/ parboil your ingredients first and then toss them in the pan with minimal or zero oil. Steaming or parboiling the veggies ensures the nutrients in them are not completely lost vs. when we cook them on a low flame and some dishes take forever to get done!

• Include fresh herbs and spices in your cooking

We are all in awe with the varieties available today in the market when it comes to herbs and spices. But we need to go a few decades back where all of these were freshly grinned and stored at homes in quantities that won’t last more than a quarter. All packaged food including spices has harmful preservatives that attack our digestive and metabolic system. We suggest you try fresh herbs and spices also, include freshly grated ginger, garlic and coconut in your food and you will be surprised.

• Balance your carbs with proteins and fibre

Keep a check on the number of carbs you eat in every meal. Ensure you have fibres and proteins in more quantity. This will happen only if you ensure this ratio is balanced while you cook your meals, for e.g. if you use one potato in a stir fry add 2 carrots, half cup beans and cabbage as well.

• Cook a wholesome breakfast

Always have a balanced breakfast. This means include fresh fruits, sprouts and oats in your cooking. It is suggested to eat 1 raw salad if possible, in your breakfast or you can always combine fruits and vegetables to make a yummilicious smoothie.

• Add the magical spice – Cinnamon

Cinnamon is known for its never-ending list of benefits it has on the human body. It is good for your overall gut health. It has anti-inflammatory properties which help in controlling the acid generation in the body which is the start of many diseases otherwise. Cinnamon is also a great spice to lower your blood sugar. Simply add a teaspoon in any of the veggies or add to a glass of warm and you’re good to go. But also, be mindful of not over-using this spice as it can result in skin breakouts, dryness and other skin problems.

• Banish high-calorie food completely for at least 7 days

High-calorie foods such as cheese, butter, clarified butter, corn, sugar need to be avoided when cooking lunch and dinner. These foods are okay to indulge in occasionally, not suggested every day. They contain very little nutrients to expect fat. If you are in love with cheese and cream during lunch/dinner try adding coconut milk or grated coconut. It will satisfy your craving along with giving you a wholesome meal.

• Switch to whole grains

Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner use whole and organic grains instead of white refined ones. For e.g. replace your regular polished rice with unpolished rice or brown/black rice. If you are a fan of wheat bread, try multigrain bread instead. When you cook chapatis, knead the dough with at least ¼ cup of fibre-rich vegetable like bottle gourd, cucumber, carrot. This will ensure you are fuller for a long period of time and will also keep the water level in your food high.

• Include citrus foods

We suggest to every vegetable or stew you cook squeeze fresh lemon once finished cooking. This will make your meal alkaline-rich vs. it being acid rich. Alkaline rich diet is proven to help you lose weight faster and better than any other diet. You may also choose to drink a glass or two of lemon water in the morning or before you go to bed. This is an amazing way to keep those extra pounds away with minimal efforts ?

• Replace the processed butter with nut-butters

Yes, that’s right, this can actually help you keep that weight in check as the processed butter we consume on a daily basis is high on saturated fat, salt and preservatives. This butter does no good to your body except for slowing your metabolism, making you gain that extra pound every month and giving your gut a slow death! Choose nut butter instead, they are easy to make. A little expensive yes, but aye, the processed butter ain’t no cheap anyway.

aleesha