Gone are the days when we had to commit several hours to preparing and cooking a dish. Technology has revolutionised the kitchen, making meal preparation a breeze. With advanced kitchen appliances, you can now create a dish at the touch of a button, saving us time and effort. But the benefits go beyond convenience; some appliances, like air fryers, even boast features that promote healthy eating habits. But are they really worth the investment? We asked an expert.
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Are Air Fryers Really Worth The Investment?
All of us are currently living in a world where takeout and restaurant hopping have become regular occurrences. Our taste buds crave unhealthy foods like fried items and sugary treats, regardless of our bodies regularly warning us of their harmful effects.
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Khushboo, Senior Dietician, HCL Healthcare, said, "As we are living in times where the taste of the food is more preferred than the actual nutritional value the food is providing, there has to be a certain way out for the same. As almost all the foods that are frequently eaten are fried or have ingredients that are deep fried before the dish prep, an air fryer is the best alternative."
How does it work?
“Air fryers use hot air to circulate quickly around the food, which leaves the crispy layer golden or brown in colour. Many of the dishes that are deep-fried are judged on how crisp the dish is, for example, samosa or cutlet, which the air fryer can provide in less than one teaspoon of oil,” she explained.
Health Benefits Of Using Air Fryers For Cooking
According to the dietitian, deep-frying a single food item like a samosa or cutlet typically uses 15-20 grams of oil. In contrast, an air fryer only requires 1-2 g of oil for brushing, significantly reducing overall oil consumption.
This can significantly reduce a person's overall fat intake, which in turn can reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease and inflammation.
Additionally, deep-frying can raise the temperature of the oil to unhealthy levels, potentially creating harmful compounds.
In addition, Khushboo shared that using air fryers to cook can also aid in weight management.
It is also important to note that air fryers avoid the need to reuse and reheat oil, which can lead to the formation of trans fats (bad cholesterol) and carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) in the oil.
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How Good Is This Kitchen Appliance In Retaining Nutritional Properties?
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to using advanced kitchen appliances is whether or not they will retain the nutritional value of the foods. To this, Khushboo replied, “During the air-frying process, only PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) is lost, which is mainly present in oils and fish. Rest all the macronutrients and minerals are retained in the air-frying method.”
She further added that air frying is totally safe in the long run, now that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines also back it under good cooking practices.