The Healthiest Cooking Methods (And Which to Avoid)
A healthy ingredient can become far less healthy depending on how it's prepared. The cooking method affects both the nutrients retained and the extra calories added, so it's worth getting right.
The healthiest methods
- Steaming — preserves the most nutrients
- Grilling — adds flavour with little added fat
- Baking and roasting — minimal added oil
- Sautéing with a little olive oil
- Boiling (though some nutrients leach into water)
Methods to limit
Deep-frying adds significant calories and unhealthy compounds. Cooking at very high heat until charred can create undesirable byproducts. Enjoy fried foods occasionally, not as a daily staple.
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Small tweaks, big difference
Grill or bake instead of frying, measure your cooking oil rather than pouring freely, and load meals with vegetables. These simple changes cut hundreds of hidden calories without sacrificing flavour.
The takeaway
Favour steaming, grilling, baking and light sautéing, and limit deep-frying. How you cook is a simple, powerful lever for making the same foods far healthier.
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