When I think back to my high school days, I remember a pretty clear picture of what I thought healthy eating looked like.

In my mind, healthy meals included giant salads, roasted vegetables, green juices, and smoothies. Although all of these foods are technically healthy, I was missing the bigger picture.

A healthy diet does not have to be bland, boring, or repetitive. It should include a wide variety of foods (and not just vegetables).

Due to my severe lack of understanding what a healthy, balanced diet could look like coupled with my inability to make anything other than cereal or toast, I chose to adhere to a highly processed diet in my late teens that was far from healthy.

When I finally started living on my own, I decided to learn how to cook. In doing so, I unlocked some healthy eating secrets that I only wish I knew sooner. Feel free to try any (or all) of them out yourself to make some healthy meals that are also insanely delicious.

1. Salads Aren’t For Everyone

Once I finally got it out of my head that you have to eat salads every day to be healthy, I was able to get a lot more creative in the kitchen and cook up all kinds of meals, such as loaded smoothies and oatmeal bowls, avocado and chickpeas sandwiches, and baked pasta dishes.

There are an infinite number of ways to eat a healthy, balanced diet. The meals that are right for you aren’t necessarily right for someone else. Once you break free of the mindset that you have to eat x, y, or z to be healthy, you will be able to have more fun in the kitchen and cook all kinds of fun meals.

If you enjoy salads, then make salads. If you prefer to eat cooked vegetables, try roasting them. As long as you prioritize getting those micronutrients into your body in some way, you will be able to reap the health benefits.

2. Spices Are Essential

When I was younger, I used to watch Food Network all the time with my sisters. The chefs were always adding a pinch of salt, a few dashes of pepper, freshly squeezed lemon juice, etc.

For some reason, it never clicked in my mind that spices can completely transform your dish. An otherwise bland or boring meal can taste incredible with the perfect blend of seasonings.

This is especially important when it comes to cooking plant-based dishes. Cooked vegetables that are marinated in a special sauce or sprinkled with the right blend of seasonings taste genuinely delicious. As a result, you will reach for them more often and get more micronutrients into your diet.

3. These Foods Are Key

When it comes to making healthy desserts, various fruits (especially bananas and berries) will be your best friends.

Fruit is naturally sweet, packed with micronutrients, and it makes a great substitute for traditional sugar in homemade baked desserts. While sugar is ok in small doses, excess sugar can have a number of negative health impacts.

When I’m craving dessert at the end of the night but I don’t want to load up on added sugar, I love to make vegan banana ice cream, a baked apple with cinnamon, or another similar fruit-based treat.

Those who enjoy ending their night with a sweet treat like I do will likely find that this healthy eating secret is absolutely essential.

4. The Cooking Method Matters

Once I started to cook for myself, I realized just how important how you cook your food impacts the overall taste.

For example, a sweet potato that has been microwaved has much less flavor than one that has been slow baked in the oven at high heat. When you take that extra time to bake your sweet potato in the oven, it gets soft, caramelized, super sweet, and absolutely delicious.

While you might not enjoy the taste of a microwaved sweet potato, I’d bet you would enjoy one that has been baked in the oven. When it comes to sneaking more healthy foods into your diet, the cooking method you choose truly does make an impact.

5. You Need This Ingredient

Ok, need might be a strong word, but I stand by the statement. I think that everyone, whether they are vegan or not, should keep nutritional yeast on hand.

It is an incredibly versatile seasoning that is packed with nutrients and vitamin B12. It has a slight nutty/cheesy flavor, so it tastes incredible on top of savory recipes such as pasta, baked potatoes, or roasted vegetables. It adds a lot of flavor without overpowering your meal.

Anyone who is looking to cook some healthy, plant-based meals will likely want this ingredient in their pantry. It is one that I use every single day and love. I only wish I knew about it sooner.

Final Thoughts

You won’t be able to eat a consistently healthy diet without genuinely enjoying the foods that you fuel your body with.

Through trial and error, I have learned that eating a well balanced diet is exponentially easier when I get in the kitchen and cook meals that I truly look forward to.

Hopefully, by testing out some of the healthy cooking secrets I’ve shared, you will be able to level up your diet, and live a fuller, happier life as a result.