If you're eating the South Beach Diet way — which means choosing delicious, nutrient-dense whole foods — you may be cooking more. But who says you need to spend hours in the kitchen? Forget roasting and sautéing vegetables when you're pressed for time. Instead, try steaming them. This cooking method is delightfully simple, incredibly speedy, and especially healthy because more nutrients are retained (compared with other cooking methods). Plus, steaming brings out the natural flavor of your veggies. If you've never steamed vegetables before, it's time to master this technique.

On the Stovetop:

1. Add 1 or 2 inches of water to a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Prepare your vegetables for cooking: After washing thoroughly, cut them into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
3. Place your steaming basket (a specially designed tool that fits inside a pot and holds food just above the surface of the water) in the pot of water.
4. Add vegetables to the basket and cover.
5. Cook until vegetables reach the desired texture. In general, most vegetables require only 1 to 2 minutes of steaming, since steam is even hotter than boiling water. If you like your veggies tender, cook a little longer; if you prefer crunchy veggies, cook for shorter periods. Be careful not to overcook, or you'll end up with mushy vegetables.
6. Carefully remove the lid (remember, the steam can burn your hands!) and take the vegetables out of the basket. Serve the them immediately with a South Beach Diet–approved seasoning, including any spice (that doesn't contain added sugar) or fresh chopped herbs such as parsley.

In the Microwave:

1. Prepare your vegetables for cooking: After washing thoroughly, cut vegetables into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
2. Place vegetables in a large, microwave-safe bowl (a glass bowl, for example).
3. Add water to cover your vegetables — the water should be shallow in the bowl.
4. Cover the bowl with microwave-safe plastic wrap and fold back in one spot to vent.
5. Microwave on high for 4 to 8 minutes (depending on the thickness of the vegetables) or until your veggies reach the desired consistency. Serve with a South Beach Diet–approved seasoning.

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