HEALTHY COOKING

Making a Healthy Start

It's easier than you think.

When you’re, say, painting your house, you make sure you have all the proper tools around first to make your job easier, right? Well, the same is true for healthy cooking. If you’re equipped with the proper tools—like a well-stocked pantry, some essential kitchen tools and equipment and a knowledge of basic cooking techniques—eating healthy is not only easy, but can be fun and relaxing as well. Our goal is to provide you with everything you need to know to get started on a lifelong pattern of healthy eating. We hope you’ll no longer find it intimidating—especially when you realize you can get dinner on the table quicker than the pizza guy can ring your doorbell.

Start off by “Avoiding the Take-Out Trap”

Although it seems quick and affordable to order take-out or pick up something premade from the grocery store, those foods are often loaded with calories, fats, sodium and added sweeteners. Cooking for yourself is about taking control of what you put in your body and making sure it’s healthy and nourishing. It not only offers a sense of accomplishment, it also allows you to prepare something healthy and tasty with the best and freshest ingredients for yourself and your family.

Explore these other Healthy Cooking topics to learn more or check out some of our menus and recipe collections:

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USER COMMENTS — Add Your Comment

I am working with a group of low-income families. I am also trying to get our families to eat healthy but the road block seems to be affordability. Therefore, we have started a vegetable garden which may help. Are there any other suggestions??

Sondra Vrooman, Syracuse, NY

Not sure about Syracuse, but there is a food co-op in the South Bronx that brings healthy, natural, and locally-grown food to low-income people who suffer from the same issue of affordability. It won't let me post the url in here but try a google search for "sbxfc" or "south bronx food cooperative" They may have partners or knowledge of options in your area.

Kari, New York, NY

When I get truly organized about my healthy menu plans, I do a much better job of using all of my grocery items - a roadblock to affordability is waste. Every time something spoils in the refrigerator and has to get tossed means I didn't plan too well. I try to have a plan for cooking and/or freezing to use up everything. Recipe sharing websites that allow me to search by ingredient are useful for that purpose. When the grocery stores have great sales on fish, chicken, or other perishables, I really try to cook and freeze to take advantage of the cost savings. Not to mention the time savings later. Large quantity items (often in shopping clubs like Costco) that truly offer big savings could be split between willing families. Good luck, you are doing a wonderful thing!

Julia, Herndon, VA

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