Fitness Nutrition Forums

Why the Way You Prepare a Meal Matters

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When you cook or prepare a meal, your usual concern is to make the food palatable so that when you or another person eats it, you will be happy and satisfied. But, taste is not the only essential consideration in food preparation. More importantly, the way you prepare a meal can affect your health through several ways such as the following.

Preservation of Nutrients

Cooking is vital because it kills food-borne bacteria that can cause different diseases. However, this process of food preparation can also destroy enzymes that aid in digestion and absorption of essential nutrients. Vegetables, for example, can be stripped of their nutrients through boiling and frying. Steaming vegetables is the ideal option. Better yet, eat your veggies raw, as this can lower cholesterol, boost energy and promote weight loss.

Of course, there are some vegetables that are more nutritious when cooked. An example of these would be tomatoes, which release lycopene when put under heat. Lycopene is a helpful phytochemical that can fight off diseases and lower the risk of certain forms of cancer.

Keeping Food Safe and Fresh

Aside from preserving nutrients, food preparation also affects food's safety and freshness. When preparing food, it is of utmost importance that you do so in a sanitized environment, using clean cooking utensils. First, you need to keep your hands clean by washing them thoroughly with warm water and soap. Maintain cleanliness in the kitchen by washing equipment and surfaces that come in contact with food.

Uncooked food should be separated from cooked food. Wash fruits and vegetables before cooking them. Hot food should be kept hot, and cold food should be kept cold. If you are going to thaw meat, use the microwave or refrigerator. Never let meat sit on the kitchen counter to thaw.

Reduction of Fat and Other Harmful Elements

The way you prepare meals also affects the amount of fat and other elements in the dish. For example, frying fish would mean more fat than baking or steaming it. Using oil is another factor. Saturated fats should be avoided when cooking food. Stick to healthier alternatives like olive oil, canola oil, corn and soybean oil. It is also important to lower the temperature when cooking food. Cooking at extremely high temperatures can produce advanced glycation end products (AGES) that contribute to aging and inflammation.

Making a Meal Look More Appetizing

Apart from the direct benefits to your health, food preparation can also contribute to the presentation and appearance of the dish. For example, if you are going to cook vegetables for your children but they do not want them, presenting them in a fun and attractive way could encourage them to try the dish. Food preparation can also contribute to good health in this way.

The way you prepare meals can affect the appearance and nutritional content of food. Make sure you cook your food the right way to avoid losing nutrients that your body needs to stay fit and healthy.

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