Tag: Sacrificing

Reduce Oil In Food Without Sacrificing Taste! 5 Secrets To Flavourful, Healthier Cooking

Oil is one of the most essential ingredients in cooking, especially in Indian cuisine. From curries and gravies to snacks and sweets, it helps add flavour to all of these. Without oil, it may feel like something is missing from the recipe, right? However, as much as we love adding oil to our food, let’s not forget that consuming too much can lead to weight gain and other health issues. If you’re trying to follow a healthy diet, you might want to reduce the oil in your cooking. Now, most of us think that not adding oil means losing out on rich flavours. This can make it challenging to give up oil. But what if we told you that you can achieve this without sacrificing taste? Yes, it is possible! Below, we’ll share five secrets to flavourful, healthier cooking you’ll wish you knew sooner.
Also Read: 5 Genius Ways Vinegar Comes In Handy Beyond Cooking

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Here Are 5 Ways To Reduce Oil In Your Cooking Without Losing Flavour:

1. Invest In Non-Stick Cookware

The type of cookware you use to make food makes a huge difference. When using stainless steel or cast iron, you’ll notice that you require more oil. On the other hand, utensils with a non-stick coating make cooking easier, allowing you to use less oil naturally. Don’t worry – your food will taste just as good! So, make sure to invest in essential non-stick cookware, such as pans and pots.

2. Use Water

Did you know you can use water in place of oil? Yes, that’s right! This method works perfectly while cooking on a gas stove. Simply add some water to the pan and let it simmer. Once it starts to bubble, add the rest of your ingredients. This technique prevents food from sticking to the pan while ensuring you get the most out of your meal.

3. Bake, Pan-Fry, Or Air-Fry

If your recipe calls for frying the ingredients, consider baking, pan-frying, or air-frying them instead. This helps reduce the oil content significantly. For example, if you want to make bread rolls, which are traditionally deep-fried, try baking them next time. They’ll turn out just as crispy, flavourful, and delicious.

Photo Credit: iStock

4. Use An Oil Spray

Can’t eliminate oil entirely from your recipe? No worries! Make a DIY oil spray. All you have to do is pour the oil into a spray bottle and spray it over the pan before use. This way, you’ll still enjoy the rich flavour of oil but with significantly fewer calories. This trick works like magic every time – do give it a try!

5. Be Generous With Spices/Fats

Another trick to reduce oil without compromising flavour is to be generous with spices and healthy fats. For example, if you want to reduce the oil content in your chicken curry, make sure to compensate with spices. On the other hand, if you’re making korma, add a generous amount of nuts.
Also Read: Ghee Or Coconut Oil: Which Is The Healthier Choice For Cooking?

So, the next time you’re cooking, keep these easy tips in mind! Happy Cooking!

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January 16, 2025
This Study Says Meat May Raise Diabetes Risk – Heres How To Ease Off Without Sacrificing Flavour

Eating excessive red and processed meat in your daily diet may make you feel happy, especially if you have grown up eating too much meat, however, the consequences of such a diet may not be great for your health. In a new study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, researchers analysed data from nearly two million adults participating in 31 studies from across 20 countries, including the United States and parts of Europe and Asia. The researchers analysed the impact of the participants’ diet on their health after an average of 10 years and found a link between meat consumption and Type 2 diabetes risk.

After adjusting for other risk factors, they found that for every 1.8 ounces (about 50 grams) of processed meat, the participants ate each day, their risk for Type 2 diabetes increased by 15 per cent. Further, for every 3.5 ounces (about 100 grams) of unprocessed red meat they consumed daily, their risk increased by 10 per cent.

Why Red And Processed Meat Is Not Good For You:

There are possible reasons why it is not healthy to consume too much red and processed meat:

1. According to health experts, red and processed meats tend to be higher in saturated fats which is associated with greater insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes risk.

2. If you are eating excessive red and/or processed meat, you may not be eating enough healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.

3. Cooking meat at high temperatures can also form compounds that may cause cell damage, inflammation and insulin resistance, as per research.
Also Read: Struggling with Sugar Spikes? These 3 Expert-Approved Foods Could Save Your Day

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How To Improve Diet And Reduce Meat Consumption:

Want to reduce your overall meat consumption but struggling? Here are four key approaches to cutting back the red meat, according to Harvard Health.

1. To Not Quit Suddenly

Instead of suddenly stopping your meat consumption, begin by gradually reducing the amount of red meat you eat. Assess how much red meat you consume daily/weekly and start cutting that down.

2. Choose Healthier Meats

Since red meat is specifically associated with more health risks compared to other types of meats, you can swap it with healthier alternatives like poultry or seafood.
Also Read: Manage Diabetes Naturally! How Clove Tea Can Help Regulate Your Blood Sugar Levels

3. Try Plant-Based Foods

Once you give it a try, you will learn to understand and enjoy the flavours of plant-based foods like beans, nuts, whole grains, and veggies. Choosing these more often will help reduce your meat consumption.

Remember to eat foods that benefit your overall physical and mental health.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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September 1, 2024