The Zero Calorie Cooking Spray

Zero Calories? Haven't you heard of the non-stick cooking sprays? Even though they are not conveniently available everywhere, it's not that difficult to have one for yourself especially with grocery shopping apps at your very disposal. In case you still don't know, a non stick cooking spray is a cooking alternative for oil. Manufacturers call it a Zero calorie non stick spray. Isn't that great for fat loss aspirants? Why wait? Go get one now. Hold back! Read this before you get one for yourself.

What is a Cooking Spray?

There has been a lot of buzz lately around zero calorie cooking sprays. If you haven't already been actively looking for healthy cooking alternatives, chances are, you might have missed on this one. Not any more. Before we discuss this in detail please do not foster any biased perception. Also let go any preconceived belief regarding the same. Why am I saying this? You'd know as we proceed. Let's find out what exactly it is.

A non-stick cooking spray is nothing but the same oil everyone uses at home. The difference being, it's lot more diluted in the can and the spray nozzle doesn't let you accidentally pour in the pan, even an extra drop of it. What do you get inside the can?

• Oil (soybean/Canola/Olive/Sunflower) : Yes the regular oil. It definitely comes in different flavors.

• Water: How did you think the oil was diluted? The can has 4 to 5 parts of water for every part of the oil.

• Emulsifier : Most of the cooking sprays would use soy-lecithin as emulsifiers. Oh yes, what do emulsifiers do? They create an emulsion of water and oil. An emulsion? A stagnant mixture of two immiscible liquids. This is it. When you stir oil and water together in a bottle, you emulsify them. However, such an emulsified(stirred) mixture won't hold on for long. Here's why we need emulsifiers. In case you want to get more scientific with the details, let me open up for you a fact. An emulsifier molecule would contain both fat loving and water loving component. When added to the mixture, the emulsifier acts as glue between the two. You may take a sigh of relief as I inform you that emulsifiers are completely safe for consumption. You have them in bread, ice cream, mayonnaise etc.

• Propellant : You must have used a lot many spray cans and if not for some cooking purpose, possibly in the form of deodorants or body sprays. Ever tried pressing the nozzle after finishing the content of the bottle? You could still feel some gas coming out. This gas is what provides the content of the bottle, enough force to come out of it. This is what we call propellant. Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, Nitrous oxide, Butane, Propane etc. are some commonly used propellants. Even though the FDA (US) confirms their safety for consumption, propellants are subject to debate. If you ask me the only problem with propellants is that they are combustible. (hydrocarbons)

Sooo, It has oil. How do they claim zero calorie? It's nothing but a marketing gimmick but what's more funny is that the consumers are so easy going, they would believe something edible to be calorie free. Okay, now the fact! The spray I have says zero calories on the front but when you check the nutrition label on the back (which rarely do we see), 2 calories per serving is what they mention over there. Nothing like zero calorie but hey, 2 calories isn't a big deal. Here's the next trick. Guess how large is a serving size. It's 1/3rd of a second and that calculates to about 0.25 grams. I don't understand how is a consumer supposed to get 1/3rd a second's spray. If you spray it for a second, you get 6 calories straight away. I spray it for 3 seconds approx just to wet the pan and the good thing is that it doesn't throw in as many calories as a teaspoon of the same oil could do. Clearly it's not that bad. It's definitely advisable to use one but at the end of the day its the call of the consumer. 

Precaution

The most important and the only thing to be careful with when you are using a cooking spray is the presence of combustible propellant hydrocarbons in the can. Never spray directly on a heated surface and do not leave the can near a burning flame.  

DIY (Do It Yourself)

Assuredly, a cooking spray helps you check the unwanted calories from fatty oils. Why not prepare it yourself at home? All you need is a spray bottle, the regular oil you use (olive oil recommended) and water. We won't need an emulsifier because we can always shake the mixture before spraying. That forms the emulsion temporarily.  What to do with all these ingredients? Open the bottle's head, drop in 5 parts of water and one part oil, seal the head back, shake and spray. Easy-Peasy.

I think all I know about today's topic got covered in the post. Still in case of doubts and queries, as always, feel free to use the comment section.