For many people, food is more than just a source of sustenance, it is also an indulgence. The problem with indulging in food is that many of the most delicious dishes around are made with ingredients that are not necessarily diet-friendly. These food items may be deemed unhealthy by most, but they are the reasons why our favorite food indulgences are so flavorful and tasty.
Eating healthy doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t eat what you want. One way to make sure you’re eating delicious and satisfying food without the forbidden extras is to cook the food yourself. This way, you know exactly what goes into every dish you prepare. If you’re worried about some of the ingredients in your recipes, don’t fret. There are ways to prepare the same great tasting food with less fat, less sodium, less cholesterol, and less empty calories. Here are some of the food substitutes you can use to replace unhealthy ingredients in your recipes:
Evaporated Skim Milk – Many recipes require the use of a cup or more of heavy cream. A cup of heavy cream contains a whopping 414 calories. 400 of those calories come from fat. By switching to evaporated skim milk, you’re not just cutting down on calories; you’re cutting down on unnecessary fat as well.
Applesauce – Don’t be fooled by the humble applesauce. It’s not just great for babies; it’s also a great substitute for a number of high-fat and high-calorie ingredients. For baked goods, applesauce can be substituted for half of the butter requirements. It can also be used as a low-sugar replacement for syrup.
Balsamic Vinaigrettes – If you’re trying to eat healthy, drowning your salads in creamy dressings will negate all the efforts you’ve made to eat right. 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrettes only contains 25 calories and they give salads a sweet and tart taste that tickles the taste buds.
Yogurt – One of the healthiest dairy products you can find, a cup of yogurt has way less calories than a cup of sour cream. Aside from cutting the fat content of the dishes you prepare, using yogurt also aids in digestion. This versatile food item is great for desserts, too. Instead of reaching for the tub of ice cream at the supermarket, why not grab a tub of frozen yogurt, instead?
Rolled Oats – Breaded and fried meat dishes are a big hit around the dinner table. You can reduce your calorie and fat intake by oven-frying the breaded meat instead of deep frying them. You can also take it one step further by replacing breadcrumbs with rolled oats for a deliciously crispy coating on your oven-fried meats.
It’s nice to indulge in high-calorie foods every now and then, but if you’re serious about eating healthy, you need to be careful in choosing the food you eat. You don’t have to deprive yourself, though. Just substitute these low-calorie, low-fat ingredients for those you don’t want in your system. These ingredients may change the taste and texture of the dish a little bit, but they’ll surely be just as delicious as the real thing.
