Healthy cooking doesn't mean that you have to become a gourmet chef or invest in expensive cookware. By using healthy cooking techniques you can cut fat and calories and increase tenderness.

Here are some of the healthiest ways to cook meat, poultry and fish:

Grilling: Grilling can be a very healthy way to cook meat, poultry and fish. Grilling works best with meat that is lower in fat to prevent flare-ups and charring which is what causes damage to the meat, poultry and fish.

Broiling: Broiling meat, poultry and fish is similar to grilling except that the heat comes from above the meat rather than below. Broiling your meat, poultry and fish is a healthy way to cook because the cooking time is short. Just like grilling, broiling works best for meat, poultry and fish that is lower in fat.

Pressure Cooking: Pressure cooking is a healthy way to cook meats, poultry, and fish because it speeds up the cooking time. The less time foods are exposed to high temperatures, the more nutrients are preserved. Pressure cooking is especially good for tougher cuts of meat or for making hearty soups and stews.

Stir Frying: Stir frying uses a short cooking time, and adds very little fat. Stir frying is also convenient because you can use a large pan, or better yet, a wok.

Additional Resources:

“Heart Healthy Cooking,” National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/chd1/Tipsheets/hearthealthy.htm