Making a Grilled Cheese With Nutrition In Mind
By Brandi Goodman
A grilled cheese is a popular sandwich choice. It's great for a kid for lunch and works well on a cold day as a dinner paired with soup. Not just any grilled cheese will do, though. You shouldn't be slapping on some packaged sliced cheese and using white bread. Make your grilled cheese with nutrition in mind and you'll have an even better sandwich.
Use Whole Grain Bread
Don't use basic white bread for your grilled cheese. You don't even want to just use wheat. You should be utilizing a whole grain bread with lots of fiber and nutrients for the best results. If you can't find some in the store, then make your own. A bread maker is a great investment. Otherwise, a health food store should have what you need.
Skip Sliced Cheese
The yellow slices of cheese that come in a typical package aren't really cheese. If you read the label you'll notice it says "prepared cheese product." You should skip this fake stuff and opt for real cheese instead. You'll get a better flavor sandwich and far more nutrition. If you only have time to grab something quick from your local grocery store, then a block of mozzarella is one of the safest bets. It's lower in sodium and calories than many of the other choices.
Add Seasoning
You don't have to get your flavor from the cheese alone. Many spices are great for enhancing flavor without adding a lot of calories. You could even just sprinkle on some pepper if you want some enhancement without a lot of flavor change. A savory seasoning is great as well if you enjoy that taste.
Forget the Butter
Grilled cheese normally requires butter. You butter both sides of the bread so you can get a crispy crust. Instead of using butter, however, you should opt for a healthier solution. A reduced-fat mayonnaise or reduced-fat sour cream work just as well. If you do choose to use butter, go light on it.
Try out some nutritional recipes and see which you like best. A grilled cheese sandwich doesn't have to be a common sandwich choice with little value. Change things up and you can make a hot, cheesy sandwich with lots of vitamins and nutrients.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wilmington, N.C.