A Recipe for Healthy Cooking By Beth W. Orenstein | Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

1 / 11  

Finding the time to cook has become a challenge in today’s time-crunched culture, especially in homes where both parents work. In fact, Americans are spending roughly half of their food budgets in restaurants, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. As a result, families are consuming more calories, saturated fat, and sodium — and putting their health at risk.
Cooking doesn’t have to be time-consuming, challenging, or expensive. The trick is stocking up on some simple yet versatile staples: 1) Whole-wheat pasta, 2) beans, 3) frozen mixed vegetables (especially broccoli), 4) boneless and skinless chicken breasts, 5) frozen fruit, 6) canola oil, 7) brown rice, 8) oatmeal, 9) low-fat cheese, and 10) egg substitute. “I try to have these ingredients on hand because they’re easy to store and they make healthy recipes,” says Beth Thayer, MS, RD, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Here are a few to try.
Click here for more