Trim Down Your Treats | How to Make Healthy Holiday Substitutions
Trim down your Treats
Wow, I should have read this before the Thanksgiving Pie and Dessert Bake-a-Thon!
Might have been able to trim down your treats when I shared some of my past scrumptious, not particularly low-fat recipes. today we’re going to talk about healthy Holiday substitutions!
Susan Reid, a recipe tester at King Arthur Flour, has done just that.
She shares some information on how to make healthy holiday (and everyday) substitutions for swaps that cut calories from sugar and fat – but preserve flavor.
Susan says,
“Instead of:
2 cups all-purpose flour
Try:
1 cup whole wheat flour + 1 cup all-purpose flour
Best for: Pancakes, muffins, cookies, biscuits, some quick breads
Benefit: Shaves off about 50 calories and adds 3 grams of proteinAdd 1 or 2 tbs water to the batter for easier mixing. Let sit for 15 minutes to absorb the liquid.
Instead of:
1 cup oil
Try: 1/2 cup oil + 1/2 cup applesauce, (or no oil and 1 cup of applesauce)
Best for: Quick breads, muffins
Benefit: Cuts nearly 900 calories
You can also use pumpkin or dried plum puree instead of applesauce.
Instead of:
1 cup sugar
Try: 1/2 cup sugar
Best for: Quick bread, muffins, scones, puddings
Benefit: Saves 387 calories
Bread can be less tender. If you need more sweetness, add a glaze.
Instead of:
4 eggs
Try: 2 eggs + 2 egg whites
Best for: Quick breads, cookies
Benefit: Trims 10 grams of fat
A few extra drop of water will make up for the missing yolks.”
How to Make Healthy Holiday Substitutions
Some wonderful helpful hints on healthy holiday substitutions for trimming the treats to help trim your waistline! What are your favorite ways to trim a few calories from recipes?
I don’t know about you, but not a day has gone by since Thanksgiving when I have not had something delicious for dessert. (Especially those divine Pecan Pie Bars, left over from our fine celebration)
Put in an extra walk with the dog these days. Good for both of us. 😉
Bon Appetite!
~ #3 Sister Chef ~
