PF Changs – The Food You Crave Made Healthier At Home
You've resisted the temptation for months and months. But, there will come a day when you can no longer control the urge to order take-out. You know if you eat this food it will be loaded with unhealthy ingredients. But how can you resist? You don't have to. You can make it at home, healthier and better than ever if you know what to watch out for.
Easy on the Soy Sauce
Soy sauce can be thought of as liquid sodium. In an article by the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, they urge caution stating that one tablespoon of soy sauce has 1,000 mg of sodium. A great way to reduce the amount of sodium in these dishes is to simply cut back on the measurements when adding soy sauce. You might also want to choose a reduced sodium variety of soy sauce which takes the sodium count down to 700 mg per tablespoon. This is still way over most people's daily allowance but will help.
A good alternative to soy sauce is the Bragg brand of liquid amino acids. They have the same soy sauce taste without all of the sodium and these amino acids are actually beneficial to your body. Amino acids help your body break down and absorb the nutrients from the foods you eat. Avoiding the sodium and having a healthy boost to your diet sounds like a win-win to me.
No MSG Here
Otherwise known as monosodium glutamate, MSG is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Asian foods. While MSG has not been scientifically linked to health issues, it is not found in nature. It is only an additive, and nothing more.
When you make Asian-style cuisine at home, there is no reason to enhance the flavor unnaturally. By picking out the best and freshest ingredients, your dishes will be flavorful on their own. There are plenty of healthy methods for enhancing flavor. For instance, if you want to enhance the flavor of your sauces, reduce them by simmering until the volume is one-half to one-quarter the amount it started out as. This will intensify the natural flavors and keep you away from non-natural ingredients. A small amount of sea salt will brighten the flavor of your dishes. And fresh herbs and seasonings are always a reliable, and healthier, form of flavor enhancement.
Fresher is Better
If you decide to cook in rather than eating out, picking the right ingredients can make your Asian dish the best. If you have a local farmer's market nearby or a store that is dedicated to selling local, fresh ingredients, then start your grocery list there. By buying local, you know your ingredients were picked when they were ripe and not ripening as they are shipped across the country, if not the world. Take a look and ask around to find your local fish monger, butcher, and farmer's market. They may be closer than you think.
If you are looking for healthy Asian-inspired food without leaving your own kitchen, you just need to keep a few key things in mind. Be sure to go easy on the soy sauce, try reducing your sauces for more flavor, choose a variety of herbs and spices, and shop locally for fresh ingredients. If you stick with these simple tricks, you will have delicious meals that will stick to your ribs without sticking to your waistline. And you can even go back for second helpings without the guilt!
