Healthy meals, whether made at home or purchased, require a little more time and effort than less-nutritious fare. However, most agree they are worth the investment.
When preparing meals at home, make sure to use healthy ingredients, such as fresh vegetables and whole grains. Where possible, replace ingredients high in fat and salt with better alternatives. Use low- or non-fat dairy products instead of regular options. Switch from white rice to brown and from white bread to wheat. Use an oil replacement, such as applesauce or flax seed, in baked goods.
In general, meals prepared at home are healthier than those prepared elsewhere, but it is possible to find more nutritious options. When buying food in the grocery store, check the fat and salt content as well as the calorie count. Do not rely on a brand name or a declaration of low caloric content when choosing pre-made food.
Checking the nutritional facts on food from a restaurant is a little more difficult but not impossible. National-chain restaurants generally have the information available on their websites and should have paper copies available at their stores. Private, individual establishments may not have the information as readily available, but it can't hurt to ask. Again, don't take the restaurant's word that its meals are healthy. Sometimes, the salads have more calories than the burgers.
SupperWorks of Ottawa is a meal-preparation facility that provides all the necessary materials to create healthy dinners to go in a fraction of the time it takes to make them at home. Call (905) 849-1550 or send an email to info@supperworks.com for more information.