Making it light
By Staff
Suzanne Langcuster
Columnist
With all we hear lately about obesity it is constantly reminding us to be aware of what we put in our mouths.
In days gone past there was mostly those who had enough and unfortunately those who didn't have enough to eat.
Those who had grown gardens and had chickens or beef compared to those who didn't usually got plenty to eat. Now the youth of our country are opting for fast fatty foods on the run over less fatty ones.
Some adults prefer them also. Some foods that are cooked fast are usually cooked by frying. To much fried food and high sugar colas can put pounds on us and cause us to gain weight.
The concern is the health problems that occur when we overdo these things.
Even as we age this kind of eating habits can effect or health and the length of our life because they are associated with heart disease, diabetes, stomach and gall bladder problems, colon cancer and more. Who needs this in their later years?
There are several ways to cut down on frying foods and fat by changing the way we buy groceries and cook them. Maybe some of these suggestions will help:
When you go to the grocery avoid packaged foods. Go for the fresh foods like fresh tomatoes, celery, lettuce, cauliflower, carrots, onions, and other fresh items. All of these can be served by not even cooking them.
Purchase fruits and eat them daily. It is best to use fresh fruit, oranges, apples, grapes, grapefruits, bananas, melons,and lemons. Lemons are wonderful to use for seasoning. Use them with olive oil to make a delicious salad dressing. Just add a little salt and pepper. Also, they are great to season fish and poultry dishes and making fruit drinks and lemonade.
When making pasta, instead of adding stir fried ground beef, stir some sliced tomatoes into a skillet with chopped garlic in a little olive oil and stir fry. When it begins to make a juice add to the skillet a handful or more of cooked , drained spaghetti noodles, depending on how many tomatoes you sliced, and stir all together. Stir a few times and serve. So good.
At breakfast serve a 1 c. bowl of multi-grain cereal with fresh or frozen blueberries, cut up strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or raisins. You may want to use more than one fruit or berry.
Buy meat products that can be broiled, grilled or baked. Avoid frying.
For deserts stick to bowl of fruit or purchase low fat yogurt and consume 1 c. after 1 meal. Now get ready, you are going to lose weight and feel better too.
