Trying to eat healthier?
Are you working on New Year’s Resolutions to find the “new” you? Well not to worry, this edition explores some habits to help you get started, as I work on them too. Also, I share a few bloggers to follow who have healthy recipes and share feedback from a few recipes I’ve tried with my family.
Wishing you safety and health,
Saa Nasta
5 tips on swapping to healthy habits
If you’re like me, you’re either going cold turkey on new food trends or trying to crash course into not eating things that you crave. Here are a few tips I’m working on.
Reduce rice: Bangladeshis love their rice, otherwise a high dose of carbs. Can you skip eating rice a few times a week? Consuming too many carbs can lead to weight gain, but not eating carbs at all is not healthy either.
Swap to olive oil: Vegetable oil is made from processing different plants. Olive oil is richer in nutrients and a healthier alternative.
Add veggies: If eating vegetables isn’t easy, find a few recipes that you enjoy and add some vegetables you may already enjoy. Add them to soups, baazis and curries. Adding leafy greens like spinach and kale is a great boost in fiber.
Drink more water. According to Healthline, women should drink 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) a day for women and men 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) daily. However, Harvard Health says the amount of water intake depends on whether you’re healthy, trying to lose weight (can drink more water), or dehydrated. You can begin with drinking water with all meals and instead of sugary drinks.
Eat at home: Preparing meals at home and meal planning healthier meals could be helpful in reducing your intake of unhealthy foods. Try looking for healthier versions of foods you enjoy. If you have to eat out, try sticking to healthier food choices or eating out less often. Set a limit of how many times you eat out in a month.
Let me know what healthy switches you’re working on!
Three health conscious bloggers to follow
@Feelgoodfoodie: Yumna discovered her love of cooking upon necessity. She began researching foods that she enjoyed and then experimented on healthy alternatives for favorites. She features Lebanese and American favorites on her website feelgoodfoodie.net and Instagram.
@Fitmencook: Kevin Curry features recipes with lots of avocados, vegetables, and different spices. From soups to soul food, his recipes are also translated into Spanish.
@ministry_of_curry: Software engineer turned blogger Archana Mundhe shares authentic Indian recipes with a dash of healthy such as her quinoa oats dosa. If you’re looking for keeping a desi taste to your food, but looking for foods with fewer calories, check out her page.
What I’m cooking
This week I tried two of Yumna @feelgoodfoodie’s recipes.
Lebanese okra stew: I’m a huge fan of okra and soups and stews during the winter. This recipe was simple, light and flavorful. For additional spice I added 1/2 tspn of red chili powder + 1/2 tsp of paprika for a deeper red color.
Chicken Shish Kabobs: Admittedly I miss summer grilling days and wanted to replicate something similar for a quick bite. I marinated my chicken cubes with Yumna’s recipe, and air fried the shish kabobs for 15 minutes on the highest temperate, instead of grilling.