By Jacquelyn D Kirkland

Avid chef Jacquelyn D. Kirkland started developing her love for cooking in childhood while helping prepare Sunday dinners with her family. With fond memories of going to the market to get fresh ingredients, Jacquelyn D. Kirkland has nurtured her passion for culinary creation and belief that food can taste good without sacrificing health.

Eating healthy often poses challenges for busy people, but it is possible to cook healthy food that tastes good. Many people try eliminating fat to make their diet healthier, but fat is not always bad. When cooking dishes that normally require ingredients with saturated fats, such as butter, try substituting unsaturated fats, such as olive oil.

Even though unsaturated fats are better, you must still eat them in moderation due to their high-calorie count. You can also substitute whole grains, such as brown rice, for refined grains in your dishes.

There are also several cooking techniques that can make your dishes healthier. Because steaming seals in flavors, thereby eliminating the need to add fats, it is a good option for chicken breasts, fish, and vegetables, and since broiling cooks food rapidly, leaner cuts of chicken or beef can be used to prepare a healthy meal in less time.