Don't Fry! Give Healthy Cooking Methods a Try

Learn how to prepare and cook meals at home to have better control over the nutritional content of the foods you eat. You can also save money.

Instead of smothering them in flour, salt and fat, try one of these easy, better-for-you cooking techniques:

Bake: Cook foods slowly in dry heat, usually in an oven.

Blanch: Boil the food briefly (about 30 seconds) then plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. This is especially good for vegetables you want to keep a little crisp or almost raw.

Braise: Cook food using both dry heat – from an oven or the stovetop – and wet heat from liquid.

Broil: Cook directly under a heat source at a high temperature.

Grill: Cook directly over a heat source.

Poach: Cook by immersing food in simmering liquid such as water, low-sodium broth or wine.

Roast: Cook uncovered in the oven.

Sauté: Cook food in a pan over direct heat using a small amount of liquid, such as vegetable stock, fruit juice, wine, healthy oil or cooking spray, or even water.

Steam: Cook in a covered pot over boiling water. Foods will retain more of their shape, texture and flavor.

Stir-fry: Use a wok or large pan to cook food quickly over very high heat in a small amount of liquid or oil. Stir constantly to prevent sticking or burning.

Try one of these methods the next time you cook at home. You can also look for dishes prepared in these ways when you eat out. And, for you high achievers, explore even more healthy cooking terms and techniques you can use to get your chef on.