Get
ready to cook!
The most fun way that you can eat healthy is by getting involved
and preparing the foods you really love to eat yourself. This way
you have control over the nutrients you get and can also have a
great time. There are tons of fun teen-oriented cookbooks out there,
and
you might want to invest in one. You can also check out the web
for a wide variety of healthy recipes.
Start with the basics. Don't
try to cook a soufflé on your
first try! Instead, find an easy-to-manage recipe that you know
you can handle.
Find healthy ingredients. Instead of globbing on
tons of butter, use olive oil or a healthy alternative. Keep your
eyes peeled for
healthy, low-sodium ingredients that will give your food the most
nutrients you can get. Try adding dried fruit to breads and muffins
when you are baking, or use applesauce and mashed bananas instead
of butter. You can sauté vegetables in vegetable juice for
extra vitamins, or use lemon as dressing and seasoning for added
Vitamin C!
Make things you like. If you love broccoli, or if bananas
are your favorite fruit, then seek out recipes that use your favorites
as
their primary ingredient, like cheesy broccoli or banana bread.
Be safe. If you need help with the oven, ask an adult to guide
you. Always make sure you turn off all appliances, especially the
oven.
Be careful with very sharp knives. Don't mix raw meat with already
cooked foods. After you have used a knife to cut raw meat, wash
it! The same goes for cutting boards, dishes and your hands.
Clean
up. Your mom might not be too happy if she comes home from work
to find that you have made a huge mess in the kitchen—even
if you are eating your vegetables! It's best to clean as you go,
so that you don't feel overwhelmed when you’re done cooking
and the dishes are a mile high.
Share. It is always a great pleasure
to feed others, and to watch friends and family enjoy the food
you make. Ever heard of a food
group potluck dinner? Invite friends over for dinner and assign
everybody a food group to prepare. Or you can cook dinner
as a special
treat for your best buds. Your parents would definitely appreciate
a special meal as a thank-you for all that they do for you.
Don't
get frustrated. Everybody has to start somewhere. So, maybe you
made dried-up chicken or burnt burritos. The more you practice,
the easier cooking will get—and the better your meals will
taste.
Recipe Links. For heart-healthy and great-tasting
recipes, check out these sites:
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