http://www.9news.com/life/diet-fitness/healthy-recipe-substitutions-for-your-sweet-tooth/211760603
How to Have Your Cake (and eat it too)
When it comes to food, we tend to have polarizing thoughts. One part of us wants to eat healthy, but the other part of us just really wants that brownie. Well I have good news for our polarized brains: you can have it all! By using recipe substitutions, you can have your cake and eat it too (literally). The following are some substitutions you can use in your baking and cooking to turn a “splurge” food into a healthier food!
Black beans for flour
This swap is great for getting in extra protein and fiber.
*When baking, swap out 1 cup flour for 1 cup black bean puree (about a 15oz can).
Unsweetened applesauce for oil or butter
Use this swap to lower saturated fat and calories.
*Use in a 1:1 ratio.
Avocado puree for butter
Lowers artery clogging saturated fat and increases healthy monounsaturated fat.
*1 cup of avocado puree per cup of butter.
Vanilla for sugar
Cut sugar and calories!
*Cut 2 Tbsp. of sugar per recipe and add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Mashed bananas for fats
Add potassium, fiber, vitamin B6 and cut fat.
*One cup of mashed banana in place of 1 cup or butter or oil.
Zucchini ribbons (or spiralized zucchini) for pasta
Adds fiber and skimps on calories and carbs.
Turnip mash for mashed potatoes
1 cup mashed potatoes made with whole milk (no butter) = 180 calories
1 cup of mashed turnip (no butter) = 50 calories
Grated steamed cauliflower for rice
Cut both calories and carbs with this switch.
Rolled oats for breadcrumbs
Add whole grains and fiber.
*Spice up the oats with herbs.
Crushed flax or fiber cereal for bread crumbs
Use for a higher fiber, lower sodium dish.
*Mix with herbs.
Spaghetti squash for pasta
Great low-carb and lower-calorie substitute for pasta.
*One squash will make between two and three servings. Roast and pull apart with a fork.
Lettuce leaves for tortilla wraps
Lower carbs and calories.
Two egg whites for one whole egg
Cuts the cholesterol and reduces calories in half.
Greek yogurt for sour cream or mayo
Half the fat and calories, extra lean protein.
*1:1 exchange ratio. Add herbs and lemon juice if using for mayo.
Herbs or citrus juice for salt
Increase antioxidants and decrease sodium.
Cinnamon for sugar
Can cut calories and add antioxidants.
*Try cutting sugar in half and adding 2-3 tsp extra cinnamon.
The following are recipes which use some of the above food substitutions:
Black Bean Brownies
Ingredients
· 1 15 oz. can black beans, well rinsed and drained
· 2 large eggs
· 3 Tbsp canola oil (or sub other oil of choice)
· 3/4 cup cocoa powder
· 1/4 tsp sea salt
· 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
· 1/2 cup sugar
· 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
· Optional toppings or add-ins: crushed nuts or semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Lightly grease an 8×8 pan.
3. Combine all ingredients (besides toppings or add-ins) in food processor and puree – about 3 minutes – scraping down sides as needed. Blend until completely smooth.
4. Optional: Stir in add-ins.
5. Pour into prepared pan.
6. Optional: Sprinkle top with crushed nuts or chocolate chips.
7. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the edges start to pull away from the sides.
8. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before cutting.
9. Refrigerate in an air tight container.
Nutrition Information
Servings: 9
Calories: 165 Fat: 7 g Carbohydrates: 24 g Sugar: 11 g Sodium: 108 mg Fiber: 6 g Protein: 6 g
2 Ingredient Cookies
Ingredients
· 3 ripe bananas
· 1 3/4 cup rolled oats
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
· 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
· 1/4 cup chocolate chips or cacao nibs (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mash bananas in a large bowl until you achieve a smooth consistency.
3. Add in oats (and any of the other optional ingredients).
4. Mix well and spoon onto greased cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
Nutrition Information
Servings: 12 (without chocolate chips)
Calories: 70 Fat: 1 g Carbohydrates: 15 g Sugar: 4 g Sodium: 0 mg Fiber: 2 g Protein: 2 g
Cauliflower Biscuits
Ingredients
· 1 medium sized cauliflower
· 4 Tablespoons flour of choice (I used chickpea flour)
· 2 eggs
· 1 teaspoon curry powder
· 1/2 teaspoon paprika
· 1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease pan or lay silpat or parchment paper onto pan.
2. Cut cauliflower into large florets and pulse in food processor until rice consistency. Do this in batches until all has been pulsed.
3. In a bowl, combine the rest of ingredients.
4. Make 4-5 evenly sized balls and place onto prepared pan. Press each down slightly.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Let cool before slicing in half.
6. Broil on high, sliced side up, for 3-5 minutes to ensure that they are crispy and better stick together.
7. Serve with filling of your choice (or just eat it by itself!).
Nutrition Information
Servings: 5
Calories: 100 Fat: 3 g Carbohydrates: 12 g Sugar: 5 g Sodium: 93 mg Fiber: 5 g Protein: 7 g
Avocado Pudding
Ingredients
· 1 + 1/2 ripe California Avocado, peeled and flesh removed from pit
· 1/3 cup quality cocoa powder (100% pure cacao)
· 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or honey
· 1/4 cup light coconut milk
· 2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Servings: 3
Calories: 220 Fat: 13 g Carbohydrates: 35 g Sugar: 25 g Sodium: 390 mg Fiber: 7 g Protein: 3 g
Coconut Curry
Ingredients
· 1 cup yellow onions, small dice
· 1 cup carrots, large dice
· 1 cup red bell pepper, large dice
· 1 cup summer squash
· 8 ounces chicken breast, cubed
· 1 T fresh garlic, minced
· 1 T. fresh ginger, minced
· 2 T. Thai yellow curry paste
· 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
· 1 cup low-sodium chicken both
· ½ cup fat-free yogurt
· 2 t. coconut extract
· 2 t. arrowroot (mixed with 2 t. cold water)
· ¼ cup fresh cilantro
· ¼ cup fresh basil
· 1 cup kale
· 1 cup spinach
· 2 cups cooked brown rice
Directions
1. In a medium greased sauce pot, add chicken, garlic and ginger and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Then, add the onions, carrots, bell peppers and squash. Sauté until onions become translucent and other veggies become tender.
3. Add curry paste and cook for 5 more minutes stirring frequently.
4. Deglaze with vinegar, reduce by half.
5. Add chicken broth and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Whisk in arrowroot and finish with yogurt, fresh basil, coconut extract, and cilantro.
7. Serve over rice with a side of greens, or mix greens into rice and serve hot!
Nutrition Information
Servings: 8
Calories: 130 Fat: 3 g Carbohydrates: 14 g Sugar: 1 g Sodium: 147 mg Fiber: 1 g Protein: 10 g
Resources
http://greatist.com/health/83-healthy-recipe-substitutions
Lauren Ott, RD is a registered dietitian at the University of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. Check out her website www.thedessertdietitian.com or follow her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/LaurenMarekRD/?ref=hl) and Instagram @thedessertdietitian for nutrition tips!