cooking substitutions for the holidaysCook with This, Not with That this Holiday Season! When thinking about the holidays, most people imagine their grandma's homemade pie, their mom's scrumptious casserole and their aunt's candied sweet potatoes.   Mmm mm!   However, all of these foods have one common denominator: lots of calories!   And lots of calories can lead to unwanted weight gain.   The average person gains 2 pounds over the holidays because typically people eat higher calorie foods and exercise less. It is not that you have to cut these foods totally out of your holidays, but making some key substitutions can lower the fat and calories in recipes while keeping the same great taste!   Remember, it is not just baked goods that are full of calories, some of your favorite casseroles and dishes are also loaded with fat and excess calories! When cooking, substitute: Cook with this – 1 cup oats or crushed whole wheat crackers Not with that – 1 cup bread crumbs Cook with this “ 1 cup 2% mozzarella cheese Not with that “1 cup cheddar cheese Cook with this “ ¼ egg substitute or half banana mashed with half teaspoon baking powder Not with that – 1 egg Cook with this “ 1 cup low-fat sour cream or plain yogurt Not with that “ 1 cup mayonnaise Cook with this “ 1 cup cooked barley, bulgar or brown rice Not with that “ 1 cup cooked white rice When baking, substitute: Bake with this “ 1 cup yogurt Not with that – 1 cup buttermilk Bake with this “ 1 cup natural honey Not with that “ 1 cup corn syrup Bake with this “ 1 cup frozen light whipped topping (thawed) Not with that “ 1 cup cream (whipped) Bake with this “ 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese (pureed) Not with that “ 1 cup cream cheese Bake with this “ 1 cup apple sauce or fruit puree Not with that “ 1 cup oil Note: Don't substitute every single ingredient because you might alter the taste and integrity of the end result.   However, making a few substitutions will help lower the fat and calorie intake of your product thus providing a scrumptious and healthy holiday for your family!



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  1. My wife has lost weight with a diet high in fresh vegtables. On the cooking side I found that using waterless cookware helps seal in the flavor and nutrition so for christmas I found a great value with the Vapo Seal set that I saw on you tube. The set was very high quality 17 pieces and my wife loves it.