How to Reduce Fat and Calories in Recipes

Whether you are trying to lose weight or just make healthier meals for you and your family, there are plenty of ways that you can reduce fat and calories in some of your favorite recipes. If you can reduce fat and calories in your favorite recipes you may find yourself losing excess weight even if your food portions remain the same. If you are following a weight loss plan such as weight watchers you will find it much easier to keep your weight watchers points in check.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look for low fat substitutions. I have found that using skim milk in creamy recipes such as macaroni and cheese really doesn't affect the outcome. You will also cut back on unhealthy saturated fats. Low fat cheese is also a great substitution for most recipes while cooking with fat free cheese has given me less desirable results.
   
   If your recipe calls for cheese with a stronger flavor such as extra sharp cheddar or bleu cheese try cutting fat and calories even more by using a little bit less since a little flavor goes a long way.

2. Reduce fat in baked good. Swapping applesauce for some or all of the butter or oil in baked goods will produce a moist and delicious treat without the added fat.

3. Reduce fat and calories with egg whites. Egg whites are low in calories and virtually fat free. Substitute two egg whites for one whole egg or use an egg substitute.

4. Reduce fat and calories at lunch time. By using mustard instead of mayonnaise on your favorite sandwich you can save about 100 calories. If you don't like mustard either switch to reduced fat mayonnaise or use less. Get low fat cheese from the deli and have it sliced thin to make a satisfying sandwich filled with lean meat, low fat cheese and plenty of fresh lettuce and tomato. Substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon for delicious BLTs.

5. Lighten your sauces. When making meat sauce for your pasta choose lean ground beef or turkey and use just half the amount. You will still get all the flavor with a lot less fat.

6. Make a veggie pizza. When making your own pizza use small amounts of low fat cheese and add fresh vegetables such as broccoli, green peppers and onion. When ordering pizza stick with vegetable toppings. You can reduce fat and calories by blotting the excess oil off your pizza with a clean, white napkin.

7. Experiment with casseroles. Try adding less meat and more vegetables to your favorite casserole recipes. If your casserole calls for cream soups use the lower fat versions.

Tips & Warnings

• Some recipes may not convert well to low fat. If in doubt try adding half low fat ingredients and half regular ingredients. If you get good results try using all low fat ingredients next time.
• Avoid prepackaged baked good that are labeled as low fat or fat free. These often have increased amounts of sugar added to make up for the lack of fat. Your best bet is to experiment with your own recipes.

Resources

• Free Weight Watchers Personal Assessment

[jamiekucharski]

on 6/21/2009 Great way to make healthy food with less calories and low fat. Thank you!

[cherry67]

on 6/9/2009 so good

[cherold598]

on 6/8/2009 America really needs this info. Excellent tips to cut down on fat and calories in recipes. 5*