Answers (You May Not Know) About Healthier Cooking

November 7, 2006

Pass on the salt. Cut back on the sugar. Some easy recipe

adjustments may be in order for healthier cooking. The November

issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource answers questions about

healthier cooking.

Does adding salt to the water when boiling speed up cooking?

Adding salt can increase the temperature at which water boils, but

it doesn't affect cooking times for foods. It adds unneeded sodium,

which may contribute to blood pressure concerns. Another reason to

pass on the salt: It draws water out of plant cells and can make

some vegetables mushy. It can also make beans and peas tough.

To reduce calories in baked goods, how much sugar can you cut out of

the recipe? In most baked goods, you can leave out half sugar the

recipe calls for without significantly affecting texture or taste.

Leaving out 1/2 cup of sugar cuts about 360 calories from an entire

recipe. But because sugar increases moisture in baked goods, make

sure you use at least 1/4 cup of sugar, honey or molasses for every

cup of flour.

Can I grill fruits and vegetables?

Eggplant, peaches and peppers cook well on the grill. In fact, you

can grill most fruits and vegetables, including summer squash, sweet

onions, mushrooms, broccoli, tomatoes, mangoes, pineapples and

pears. The key for grilling fruits and vegetables is to use low

heat. Coals are ready when you can hold your hand about 5 inches

above the heat for about five seconds.

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