Here are some simple healthy cooking tips to eat healthy and live healthy...

• Buy whole foods (unpolished grains, fruits, and vegetables) and use them in place of processed foods (sodas, cereals, and crackers) whenever possible
• Reduce the salt quantities to half in your favourite recipes. Consider replacing part of the salt with an herb or spice, flavoured vinegar or citrus juice
• Avoid snacking on junk food, high fat and high cholesterol foodstuffs, and foods rich in salt and sugar
• Go for grilling, roasting or baking instead of frying
• Non-stick pans should be used for grilling or stir-frying as non-stick cookware reduces the need for cooking oil
• Avoid using butter, lard, palm oil and coconut oil as they contain about 40% saturated fats
• Olive oil, safflower, sunflower, peanut or corn oil should be used instead as they contain about 20% saturated fat
• When you use oil, try cooking sprays or apply oil with a pastry brush
• Cook in liquids (such as stock, lemon juice, fruit juice, vinegar or water) instead of oil
• Choose methods of cooking that will retain flavour, colour, and nutrients
• Avoid cooking at high temperatures and for long cooking times as this can destroy or leach out valuable nutrients
• Microwave or steam instead of boiling vegetables
• Use fat-free milk or skim milk in your diet
• Consult your physician or a qualified dietician to plan a diet that will satisfy your hunger but won't add on those extra dreaded calories