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Smart Substitutions to Improve Nutrition Without Sacrificing Taste
Whether you eat out or prepare meals at home, chances are you can make minor changes that will have maximum impact on improving your diet. These simple swaps can help you cut down on sodium, added sugars, saturated fats, trans fats and dietary cholesterol.
Smart substitutions can help you maintain an overall healthy eating pattern, even when dining out.
For recipes
Here are some common healthier swaps when cooking:
|
Instead of: |
Use: |
|
|---|---|---|
| whole milk (1 cup) | 1 cup fat-free or low-fat milk plus one tablespoon of liquid nontropical vegetable oil, such as canola, corn or olive | |
| heavy cream (1 cup) | 1 cup evaporated fat-free milk or 1/2 cup fat-free or low-fat plain yogurt and 1/2 cup plain low-fat unsalted cottage cheese | |
| sour cream | low-fat unsalted cottage cheese plus low-fat or fat-free yogurt; or use fat-free sour cream | |
| cream cheese (1 cup) | use 4 tablespoons soft tub margarine (low in saturated fat and 0 grams trans fat) blended with 1 cup dry, unsalted low-fat cottage cheese; add a small amount of fat-free milk if needed | |
| butter (1 tablespoon) | 1 tablespoon soft tub margarine (low in saturated fat and 0 grams trans fat) or 3/4 tablespoon liquid nontropical vegetable oil | |
| unsweetened baking chocolate (1 ounce) | 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder or carob powder plus 1 tablespoon liquid nontropical vegetable oil or soft tub margarine; since carob is sweeter than cocoa, reduce the sugar in the recipe by 25% | |
For snacks and desserts
Here are some better-for-you versions of some favorite snacks and desserts:
|
Instead of: |
Enjoy: |
|
|---|---|---|
| fried tortilla chips | baked corn tortilla chips (lowest sodium available) | |
| regular potato or corn chips | no-salt or low-salt pretzels, popped sorghum or baked potato chips (reduced sodium version) | |
| high-fat cookies and crackers | high-fiber cookies and crackers, such as graham crackers, whole-grain crackers, rice cakes, fig and other fruit bars, ginger snaps and molasses cookies | |
| regular baked goods | lower fat baked goods with unsaturated oil or soft tub margarines, egg whites or egg substitutes, and fat-free milk | |
| ice cream and frozen treats | no-sugar-added frozen fudge bars, no-sugar-added frozen fruit pops and fat-free frozen yogurt bars | |
For dining out
Here are some healthy choices to opt for when eating out:
|
Instead of: |
Try: |
|
|---|---|---|
| cream-based soups | broth-based soups with lots of vegetables | |
| quiche | vegetable omelet | |
| buffalo chicken wings | skinless chicken wings with salt-free dry rub or peel-and-eat shrimp | |
| bread, muffins or croissants | melba toast, pita bread or whole-wheat rolls | |
| fried chicken sandwich | grilled chicken sandwich | |
| chicken fried steak | plant-based burger | |
| french fries | baked potato, brown rice or steamed vegetables | |
| mashed potatoes and gravy | baked potato | |
| creamy coleslaw | sauteed vegetables, steamed vegetables or a green salad | |
| danish | whole-wheat English muffin | |
| jumbo cheeseburger | grilled chicken sandwich or a regular-size hamburger with lettuce, tomato and onion | |
Other dining out tips:
- Opt for the smaller portion when there’s a choice. Don’t be afraid to ask for the “kids menu” or “senior menu” for smaller portions.
- Choose low- or fat-free vinaigrettes on salads, or use oil and vinegar and/or a squeeze of lemon.
- Ask for any sauce or dressing to be served on the side so you can control the amount you eat.
- Share an entree with your dining partner or take half home to enjoy for another meal.
