Why is baking food healthier than frying?

There are many techniques in cooking, from boiling, steaming, frying, to baking. For those of you who want a crunchier texture, frying and grilling can be an option. However, from a health perspective, grilling food is better than frying. In fact, some food experts say that grilling makes these foods lower in calories. How come? Check out the reviews below.

Why is it better to grill food than fry it?

Baking food can be with the help of natural gas, charcoal, or electricity. Almost all food ingredients can be baked, including meat, nuts, to vegetables and fruits. So, what makes this cooking technique healthier than frying?

The difference lies in the oil and fat content. Baking food actually reduces the oil contained in food ingredients that are being processed. Reporting from Web MD, grilling will make the fat from the food melt and drip deep into the coals. This cooking technique reduces food calories. The opposite is when frying, which actually makes food absorb cooking oil so that it makes the calorie content even more.

Moreover, baking food is also usually done without using oil (only with the help of the marinade) so you don't have to worry about the dangerous added intake of calories and trans fats from cooking oil.

Even though it's healthier, don't bake it for too long

Although baking food can be healthier and lower in calories, you also need to pay attention to the technique. Do not burn food for too long in a temperature that is too hot so as not to produce cancer-causing compounds.

Studies show that roasting poultry or red meat at high temperatures for too long can trigger the formation of HCA (Heterocyclic Amines) and PAH (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) compounds which are carcinogenic (cancer triggers).

To avoid this risk, it's best to preheat ingredients in the microwave or soak them in hot water for 30 minutes before baking. Alternatively, choose foods that tend to cook faster, such as fish.

You can also shorten the heating time by cutting the food into smaller pieces so that they cook quickly at a lower temperature.

Don't forget to turn the food through it so it doesn't get black or burnt.

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