Home Diet & Recipes 4 Diabetes-Friendly Alternatives to Deep-Frying Your Food

4 Diabetes-Friendly Alternatives to Deep-Frying Your Food

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4 Diabetes-Friendly Alternatives to Deep-Frying Your Food

There is something inherently comforting about deep-fried food for many people. It can hearken back to the days your family used to visit the local KFC on Sundays or may remind you of the evenings spend tortillas with your grandmother. Whether you simply love fried foods, or you find comfort in them, giving them up can be a long, difficult—but necessary—process.

The Dangers of Fried Foods

Fried foods are problematic for several reasons, the most significant of which is the fat content added in the act of frying. High salt is another reason most fried foods pose a serious health risk. They may be delicious, but they may be responsible by shortening your lifespan significantly, with people who eat fried foods at least twice per week twice as likely to suffer an early death.

Alternatives to Frying Food

#1. Pan-Searing

If you love a good crunch with your meal, try pan searing. Typically, with this technique, you cook food at a lower temperature and then finish it off with a high-temperature that creates a crystallized, crust-like texture. Pan searing is not the healthiest option available, as some studies have linked high temperatures with unhealthy cooking practices, but may be healthier than deep-frying.

#2. Crock Pot Cooking

Crock-pot cooking will not give a solid crunch like frying will, but it offers a similar convenience factor. You can just place your food in a crock-pot and let it sit all day, or overnight, and wake up or come into the kitchen to a fully cooked meal. Crock-pots are also helpful because they allow you to cook your food at low temperatures, which keeps vital nutrients intact, and eliminates the risk of altering the chemical compounds in your food.

 

#3. Cast Iron Baking

Cast iron can help give you a real crunch, both within the stove and on the stovetop. Potatoes, eggs, etc. can all be made in a cast iron pot or pan and yield a delightful crust. Cast iron offers the additional benefit of infusing your food with iron and improving nutrition content.

#4. Grilling

Finally, grilling using either a Panini or an outdoor grill can give food a pleasant crunch and a strong flavor, without the hazards associated with deep-frying. Grilling can help secure a healthy crunch with breaded foods, as well, particularly when using a Panini or other indoor grill.

References

Web MD. Accessed 9/23/17.