Discover the tricks the experts use to prepare tasty and nutritious meals.

By Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

A nutritious meal does not have to be tasteless. Learning the cooking tricks of the experts can turn anyone into a healthy cook. The secret is understanding which foods to choose, and knowing a variety of ways to prepare them.

The secret to cooking healthier meals is figuring out where to skim fat and calories, so you can lighten up a recipe without skimping on flavor. And cooking healthy doesn’t have to mean cooking from scratch. You can start with convenience foods and add a few healthy ingredients for healthful "halfway homemade" meals.

To make sure your meals are chock-full of healthy vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting antioxidants, choose the most nutrient-rich foods (such as deeply colored fruits and vegetables) as the basis for your recipes. Try using one of our lightened recipes, or make over your own favorite family recipes with substitutions that add nutrients while subtracting fat and calories.

The right gadgets and cookware can also help improve the flavor and taste of your meals. For example, with a simple grill pan, you can grill everything from fruits and vegetables to meats -- and the fat just drips away.

With the latest tricks of the trade, you can have fun while you prepare wonderfully healthy and nutritious meals -- for one person or a crowd.