Would any meal made from scratch at home be considered healthy? Or what kind of meals are considered healthy?

Question

I'm trying to eat healthy - not really worried about weight, just want to be able to make meals that will keep us healthy. Heart disease and diabetes runs in my family so I'm looking for any recipes that would help us prevent those diseases. Does anyone know where I can find some healthy recipes. Thanks

Answer 1

Generally, when one eats out, there will be a lot more fat, sodium, and simple carbohydrates in the food, and a lot less fiber, whole grains, and other nutrients. So eating out less does often translate into a better overall diet.

BUT... food at home could also be prepared with lots of fat (frying, etc.), or sodium or simple carbohydrates as well, and the choice of which foods to prepare could also fall high on the fat/etc. side.

Here are some sites that should help you get oriented to what you need to eat, and to avoid, to "eat healthy" as well as recipes:
(some of these may be gone by now, but most won't)

fat and calorie counter (search word type) at foodnetwork.com
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/ck_fat_calorie_calculator/

misc. ideas and recipes
http://food.homearts.com/food/cookings/makeh/00heal17.htm
many fat-free recipes
http://cgi.fatfree.com/cgi-bin/fatfree/recipes.cgi
many fat free vegetarian pastas
http://www.fatfree.com/recipes/pasta/

MORE HELPFUL WEBSITES
LOW FAT
http://www.3fatchicks.com/food/recipes/recipes.html
http://food.homearts.com/food/cookings/makeh/00heal17.htm
http://cgi.fatfree.com/cgi-bin/fatfree/recipes.cgi
http://www.fatfree.com/recipes/pasta/
http://mardiweb.com/lowfat/recomm.htm (some product recommendations)
http://mardiweb.com/lowfat/mexican.htm (Mexican, including chicken tortilla soup)
LOW-FAT SANDWICHES
low fat vegetarian sandwiches
http://www.fatfree.com/recipes/sandwiches/
low-fat vegetarian spreads & dips
http://www.fatfree.com/recipes/dips-spreads/
Kate's low fat recipes
http://www.ox.compsoc.org.uk/~kake/cookery/low-fat.html

more online food or healthy-eating sites

many also have message boards

and many have “diets” to pick from to get appropriate recipes

http://food.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AoJk5Sc6EggWv_8UwIPkXeVzZeY5?tp=recipe&p=&dt=low-fat&k=low+fat

http://www.cookinglight.com
http://boards.nbc.com/bb/postlist.php?Board=BiggestLoser
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/cholesterolcontrol
http://www.hgtv.com
http://www.leancuisine.com/
http://www.lightandtasty.com
http://www.healthycookingrecipes.com
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/
http://www.deliaonline.com
http://www.foodfit.com
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/
http://www.heartinfo.org
http://www.mdadvice.com/wellness/nutrition/syah/
http://www.hillhealth.com/recipes.htm
http://www.hmc.psu.edu/cardiovascular/patient/diet/recipes/
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/index.htm
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/ktb_recipebk/index.htm
http://www.allrecipes.com
http://www.recipezaar.com
http://www.cooks.com
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/index.htm Menu plan low salt
http://www.low-cholesterol-recipes.com

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/living/food/recipes/lowfat.html

And here is at least one bit of software for keeping track of calories and other nutrients in what you eat (plus more):
Weight By Date Pro http://www.weightbydate.com/pro_overview.htm

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There are some decent things you can eat when you're out too, but it takes a bit of detective work (e.g., look online for the nutritional info for the larger chains)... plus knowing that you can ask for veggies instead of fries as a side, or get things that are grilled,etc., instead of fried, or how to recognize heavy fat or cheese sauces, or to ask for a food to be prepared with as little fat as possible, or to put the salad dressing or butter, etc., on the side intead of on the food, or have a take-home container brought to you when the food is delivered so you can put part of it out of sight while you eat, etc.,etc.

Best of luck! It can be done, so don't give up... it's can also be a fun adventure and there are actually loads of high-taste things that aren't "bad" for you!


Diane B.

Answer 2

Diabetic Diet Guidelines
http://www.diabetes911.net/readit/chapter10.shtml

Calorie Consumption
http://health.howstuffworks.com/question693.htm

Answer 3

To answer your first question, NO; not everything made at home is healthy. The very best bet for eating healthy is becoming a habitual label reader. Pay close attention to what you are actually consuming and how much. If you prepare a dish at home for yourself, take note of the nutritional info on everything you use (and make sure you note exactly how much a serving size consists of). I pay particular attention to calories, fat and sugars. You may personally need to take note of other things that are easy to go overboard on, like sodium and carbohydrates. As you get more used to reading labels, you will start to notice what food items are engorged with calories and fat and what foods you can pretty much eat as much as you want, then begin to build your diet from there. Many times, it is the small things that make your meals unhealthy; mayonnaise, cheese, butter, etc. There are also a lot of great substitutes for these kinds of things if you just can't live without them. There are also gobs and gobs of websites that can offer you recipes for healthier eating without your tastebuds getting bored!! (Here are just a few).

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/fitfab/fitfab.html
http://home.thirdage.com/food/okannog/
http://www.christinacooks.com/

Hope I helped!

Answer 4

Just make sure you have lots of vegetables, fruits and stay away from processed foods.
If yiou can not pronounce or understand an ingrediant listed - DO NOT BUY IT / DO NOT EAT IT.
Watch the sodium and fat.
There are lots of web sites devoted to receipes for healthy hearts - do a search.

Answer 5

Creamy Fettuccini Alfredo

1 – 8 oz. Package Philly Cream Cheese (I use the light version – 1/3 less fat), cubed
¾ cup (3 oz.) fresh grated Parmesan cheese (I like De Giorno, don’t use Kraft)
½ cup margarine (I use I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Light)
½ cup milk (I use 1% or 2% low fat)
8 oz. fettuccini, cooked, drained (I use the fresh Contadina low fat one)

In large saucepan, combine cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, margarine and milk.
Stir over low heat until smooth. Add to drained fettuccini and toss lightly. Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese if desired. Makes 4 servings.



Moms Sweet & Sour Meatloaf

Sauce:
2 small cans tomato sauce
1/4 cup worchestershire sauce
1/2 onion chopped
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 cup brown sugar

Mix all sauce ingredients together in bowl, set aside.


Ingredients (Meatloaf):
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 chopped onion
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup or more if needed, quick oatmeal (not instant)
1 teaspoon garlic salt

In another bowl add ground beef, 1/2 chopped onion, egg, oatmeal, garlic salt, pepper, and 1/3 of the sauce mixture. Mix together well.

Place in pan, making space between meat and pan around edges with fingers. Flatten top, spread more sauce over top and cook 1 hour, at 350F. Drain off grease half way (30 min) and add more sauce. Reserve some sauce for adding when served. The oatmeal disappears, is healthy and you can't taste it. It just holds it together better. Add more if you need it.



Chicken and Dumplings

1 whole chicken
1 bay leaf
2 tsp garlic salt
6 black peppercorns
6 cups of water
1 cup baby carrots
1 package refrigerator biscuits (10 – 12)

Place chicken in crock pot and add everything except carrots. Cook on low for about 8-10 hours. Remove chicken and de-bone. Pour broth into large pot on stove and heat until boiling. Add carrots and cook for 30 minutes. Thicken broth with cornstarch or flour mixed with cold water. Tear refrigerator biscuits into 3-4 pieces each and drop into boiling broth, lower heat and cover. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until biscuits puff up. Add chicken and carrots, stir, and serve

Answer 6

Better Homes and Gardens has a section in their recipes for exactly what you're talking about, look in the recipe index then diet lifestyles. I think you find what you seek. Here's a direct link for you.
http://recipes.bhg.com/recipes/?_requestid=170090

Answer 7

Not everything made at home is healthy. Fresh lean meats are good, lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, not fried or having fattening butter or salad dressings put on them are healthy. Any good cookbook should guide you.

Answer 8

try this web site it has terrific recipes!!! they give you recipes to make your favorite comfort foods more healthy and much more. some of my suggest are to eat only whole grains and brown rice. also eliminate veg oil from your diet and use only olive oil or canola. of course eat a lot of fruit and veg tables. good luck on eating healthy:)
www.cookinglight.com

Answer 9

I think any meal prepared at home is much better for you than a meal prepared at a restaurant. At home, I won't put in as much of the "fat" and at the restaurant they want it to taste as good as possible so all the fat's gonna be in there!!!!

Answer 10

Everything that you cook at home is healthy. By choice "We" make it unhealthy by how we prepare and cook our foods. Anything in it's "natural" state is healthy as long as we also eat it in moderation, now pass me another Apple, I think I have room for one more

Answer 11

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