8 Tips for preparing healthy meals during Chinese New Year

Treat your family and loved ones to healthier home-cooked meals this Chinese New Year and start the year in the pink of health.

Serve a variety of vegetables during meal times. Vegetables contain a lot of vitamins and minerals needed by the body.

Prepare foods using healthier cooking methods such as boiling, grilling, steaming or stir frying with less oil to reduce oil and fat consumption.

Serve foods in high fibre such as brown rice, brown rice beehoon or oatmeal cookies . Other than fibre, these foods are also lower in glycemic index.

Use natural herbs and spices or dried fruit to replace the use of sugar, salt and sauce in cooking.

Serve fish and tofu dishes rather than red meat such as beef and pork because these have lesser saturated fat and cholesterol.

Serve fresh fruit as a better choice for dessert.

Prepare lean meat or remove the visible fat or skin of the poultry.

Reduce sugary drinks and make sure plain water is available at all times.

BSC Nutrition & Dietetics, Australia