7 Healthy cooking ways so you don't need to fry side dishes

You may feel something is missing if you don't eat rice with fried vegetables and side dishes. Fried side dishes are indeed more appetizing and can be a delicious accompaniment to vegetables. However, eating fried side dishes too often has a high risk for health. Then how to cook healthy but still delicious without the need to fry side dishes?

Why is fried food dangerous for health?

Fried foods contain very high levels of fat and cholesterol. Actually, if consumed in reasonable amounts, fried food is still quite safe. However, most people can eat fried foods up to many times a day. As a result, you are at risk of developing various chronic diseases below.

Obesity

The cooking oil with high fat content is absorbed by the side dishes. The fat content in food becomes excessive. A study in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases revealed that people who eat fried foods more than four times a week are more likely to be overweight or obese than people who only eat fried foods twice a week.

Stroke

Studies conducted by a team of experts at the University of Alabama, Birmingham prove that eating fried side dishes six times a week can increase the risk of stroke by 41%. This is because the high cholesterol levels in fried foods make you more susceptible to stroke.

Coronary heart disease

Like the risk of stroke, fried foods with high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol can increase the risk of coronary heart disease. The reason is, cholesterol and fat can cause plaque buildup in the arteries so that heart function is impaired.

Diabetes

Fried side dishes can also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (diabetes). Fried foods will make blood sugar rise drastically. In addition, the accumulated body fat will also make it difficult for insulin to break down sugar.

Alternative ways to cook healthy without frying

Replace the side dish frying technique with healthier cooking methods. Here are choices for healthy cooking methods that don't involve frying in hot oil.

1. Steam

Steamed or steamed side dishes, such as fish and chicken, contain lower levels of fat and cholesterol. In addition, cooking side dishes by steaming can also make the side dishes of your choice even more fragrant.

2. Pepes

This Sundanese specialty dish offers a strong aroma and taste. The reason is, the spices and spices that are put into the side dish are more absorbed in the delicious banana leaf wrapping. You can serve fish pepes, tofu, or mushrooms as an alternative to fried side dishes.

3. Bacem

This type of Central Javanese cuisine usually uses tempeh or tofu. After being covered with herbs, spices, and brown sugar, the baceman will be boiled together so that the flavor is absorbed. Then steam the Baceman before serving, don't fry it.

4. Soy sauce

As a variety of fried side dishes, stews can be a safer option. Serve beef, chicken, eggs, or tofu in a sweet or salty soy sauce stew. You can also process it with vegetables such as carrots to make it fresher.

5. Bake

Grilled side dishes have lower fat and calorie content than fried side dishes. So, it's better for you to roast chicken, duck, beef, or fish in the oven than frying in oil. Don't forget to add honey, lemon, or fresh chilies.

6. Sauté

Sautéed tempeh, sauteed tofu, sauteed bean sprouts, or stir-fried shrimp can be simple side dishes that have low levels of fat, calories, and cholesterol. The aroma of stir-fried side dishes is also tastier than fried food.

7. Boil

As a breakfast side dish in the morning, boiled eggs can be an easy and healthy option. Boiled chicken is also good for those of you who need protein but shouldn't consume too much saturated fat and cholesterol.