Healthy Cooking Tips for Beginners
Healthy cooking often sounds challenging, especially for those of us who are just starting our journey in the kitchen. However, the good news is, cooking healthy food doesn't require complicated techniques or expensive ingredients. Together, let's learn simple steps that can make our dishes more nutritious without compromising on taste.

1. Choose Fresh and Quality Ingredients

Food ingredients are the key to healthy cooking. We can start by choosing fresh vegetables, fruits, and proteins at the market or supermarket. Avoid ingredients that have been processed too much like canned or instant foods, because they often contain high levels of salt, sugar, and preservatives.

2. Reduce the Use of Excess Oil

Oil is often an ingredient that makes food taste heavy and unhealthy. Instead, we can use cooking techniques such as baking, boiling, or sautéing with a little olive oil. If you want a savory taste without the addition of fat, spices are our best friends! 

3. Pay Attention to Cooking Techniques

Cooking techniques affect the nutritional content of food. Frying in a lot of oil can reduce the nutritional quality, while boiling or steaming maintains the vitamin and mineral content. For those of us who like a crunchy texture, bake vegetables in the oven for results that are still healthy and delicious.

4. Use Natural Seasonings

Avoid artificial flavorings that are high in MSG or other chemicals. Instead, we can play with natural spices such as ginger, garlic, black pepper, or fresh herbs such as rosemary and basil. In addition to being healthier, natural spices also provide a distinctive aroma that increases appetite.

5. Arrange Portions Wisely

Sometimes, we are tempted to cook in large quantities and consume everything at once. To maintain a healthy diet, we need to arrange portions in a balanced way—enough to meet our needs without being excessive. Use the *plate division* method, which is to fill half the plate with vegetables, a quarter with protein, and the other quarter with healthy carbohydrates.

Conclusion

Healthy cooking is actually easier than we imagine. With fresh ingredients, proper cooking techniques, and the use of natural spices, we can create food that is not only delicious but also beneficial for the body. Let's start practicing these tips in our kitchen today and feel the difference!