Ingredient substitutions: Make the switch for healthier recipes
Friday, September 28, 2007
We love cooking and eating but sometimes, the ingredients might not be the healthy choice. We usually have to substitute healthier ingredients. It's convenient to have a list of food substitutes - so here it is. Table of healthy alternatives to the unhealthy ingredients. Taken from MayoClinic.com: A good site for healthy recipes.
Fat and cholesterol
To reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol | |
---|---|
If your recipe calls for: | Try substituting: |
Bacon | Canadian bacon, turkey bacon, smoked turkey or lean prosciutto (Italian ham) |
Butter, margarine, shortening or oil in baked goods | Applesauce or prune puree for half of the called-for butter, shortening or oil Note: To avoid dense, soggy or flat baked goods, don't substitute oil for butter or shortening, and don't substitute diet, whipped or tub-style margarine for regular margarine. |
Butter, margarine, shortening or oil to prevent sticking | Cooking spray or nonstick pans |
Creamed soups | Fat-free milk-based soups, mashed potato flakes, or pureed carrots, potatoes or tofu for thickening agents |
Eggs | Two egg whites or 1/4 cup egg substitute for each whole egg |
Evaporated milk | Evaporated skim milk |
Full-fat cream cheese | Fat-free or low-fat cream cheese, Neufchatel or low-fat cottage cheese pureed until smooth |
Full-fat sour cream | Fat-free plain yogurt, or fat-free or low-fat sour cream |
Ground beef | Extra-lean or lean ground beef, chicken or turkey |
Mayonnaise | Reduced-calorie mayonnaise-type salad dressing or reduced-calorie, reduced-fat mayonnaise |
Oil-based marinades | Wine, balsamic vinegar, fruit juice or fat-free broth |
Salad dressing | Fat-free or reduced-calorie dressing or flavored vinegars |
Whole milk | Reduced-fat or fat-free milk |
Sodium
To reduce the amount of sodium | |
---|---|
If your recipe calls for: | Try substituting: |
Seasoning salt, such as garlic salt, celery salt or onion salt | Herb-only seasonings, such as garlic powder, celery seed or onion flakes, or use finely chopped garlic, celery or onions |
Soups, sauces, dressings, crackers, or canned meat, fish or vegetables | Low-sodium or reduced-sodium versions |
Soy sauce | Sweet-and-sour sauce, hot mustard sauce or low-sodium soy sauce |
Table salt | Herbs, spices, fruit juices or salt-free seasoning mixes or herb blends |
Sugar
To reduce the amount of sugar | |
---|---|
If your recipe calls for: | Try substituting: |
Fruit canned in heavy syrup | Fruit canned in its own juices or in water, or fresh fruit |
Fruit-flavored yogurt | Plain yogurt with fresh fruit slices |
Syrup | Pureed fruit, such as applesauce, or low-calorie, sugar-free syrup |
Other nutrients
To increase the amount of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and fiber | |
---|---|
If your recipe calls for: | Try substituting: |
All-purpose (plain) flour | Whole-wheat flour for half of the called-for all-purpose flour |
Dry bread crumbs | Rolled oats or crushed bran cereal |
Enriched pasta | Whole-wheat pasta |
Iceberg lettuce | Arugula, chicory, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach or watercress |
Meat as the main ingredient | Three times as many vegetables as the meat on pizzas or in casseroles, soups and stews |
White bread | Whole-wheat bread |
White rice | Brown rice, wild rice, bulgur or pearl barley |
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hey foodie!! useful stuff, this list =)
ReplyDeleteur reviews make me hungry and i cant wait to try my hands at making the mango icecream & sunshine smoothie! perfect for hot sweaty summer days. mangoes arent in season yet here (aussie), but they should be soon.. *rubs hands in glee*
I hope you'll enjoy making those ice cream :)
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