You don't have to abandon all your favourite recipes to eat healthier.
Several small modifications to your current recipes can often greatly lower the fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and/or calories in your diet, according to HealthLinkBC.
These small changes in your current recipes can make a big difference in your intake of fat and calories without significantly affecting the taste or enjoyment of your favourite meals.
Some suggestions for making heart-healthy substitutions in your recipes are given below.
• Instead of one cup shortening or lard choose 3/4 cup canola or olive oil.
• Instead of one cup baking oil choose 1/4 cup oil and 1/2 cup applesauce.
• Instead of one cup whole milk choose one cup fat-free milk.
• Instead of one cup heavy cream choose one cup evaporated, fat-free milk.
• Instead of one cup sour cream choose one cup low-fat or fat-free yogurt or sour cream.
• Instead of one cup cheddar cheese choose one cup low-fat cheddar cheese.
• Instead of 1/2 cup cream cheese choose 1/2 cup light cream cheese or 1/4 cup skim ricotta and 1/4 cup tofu blend.
• Instead of one can cream of chicken soup choose one can low-fat cream soup.
• Instead of 450 grams (one pound) of ground beef choose 450 grams ground turkey or extra-lean ground beef (97 per cent fat free).
• Instead of 170 grams tuna in oil choose 170 grams tuna in water.
• Instead of two eggs choose four egg whites or an equal amount of egg substitute.
• Instead of one cup chocolate chips choose 1/2 cup chocolate chips.