What do you do when you come across a really interesting dessert recipe, but then find out it is packed with sugar and saturated fats? Do you give it a try anyway? Or do you skip it?
Read along to learn how to make any recipe you like healthier, packed with nutrients, and even fits into your weight loss meal plan, if you are following one.
Swap the butter for vegetable oil: Easily replace the amount of butter used for vegetables oil at a 1:0.75 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, use 3/4 cup of any oil. For coconut oil though, use a 1:1 ratio (so 1 cup for 1 cup). Want to make it maximum healthy? Use olive oil. It won't give a very significant aftertaste.
Swap the sugar for sugar substitute or a healthier sugar source: Replace every 1 cup of sugar with 3/4 cup of a natural sweetener like Stevia or Sucralose and double your baking powder amount. Replacing with applesauce, carob molasses or date paste is also possible but depends on the recipe. In general, you will have to use less liquids in the recipe (eggs, oils, milk).
Swap the full fat milk for skim milk: Use 0-1% milk or unsweetened plant based milk. Those options are lower in calories and free of saturated fats - the type of fat that accumulates on our internal organs and in our arteries.
More portions, less calories: Divide the recipe into more portions to reach 150 kcal maximum per portion. For example, if a recipe yields 8 portions, each having 250 kcal. Do: 8× 250 = 2000 kcal (recipe total) 2000 ÷ 150 kcal (target calories) = 13 portions. So instead of 8, divide it into 13 portions.
There, now you are able to turn any recipe into a healthier one. Anything I missed? Let me know in the comments!
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