how to cut calories on recipes

[bigbobby]

If I’m going to be successful at my diet, I still think I’ll want to eat some of my favorite recipes. Can anyone suggest some ways to cut back on regular foods that are used as ingredients so that I can still make some of the meals that I usually like?

[bruceH]

Have you ever tried to sauté food in a vegetable stock instead of using oil? It’s awesome and it really works.

[Penny]

Have you ever tried to sauté food in a vegetable stock instead of using oil? It’s awesome and it really works.

That's a really great technique. I have replaced a lot of the cooking oils that I use with this technique. Just make sure that you're using low-sodium or no-sodium broth and not just the regular stuff that comes in the packages. Otherwise, you'll spike your sodium levels and cause a world of other health and weight loss problems.

[Paplo]

Does stuff stick to the pan if you use stock instead of oil? I use oil so that it won't cook to the bottom of the pan, not necessarily for flavor.

Also, here's my tip: if you're going to eat meat, get the leanest cut available. Seriously. Look it up. You save SO many calories.

[char]

Use silky tofu instead of cream in cream sauces and desserts. It doesn't make a huge difference when it comes to calories as a whole - though it does still have less - but at least the calories are better for you. They make up more protein and less bad fats. So at least you know that when you are eating calories, they're not as harmful.

[CuJo1992]

Some recipes need to be made as they are. So just shrink your portion size!

[bigbobby]

Thanks, these are some really good suggestions. I'm actually going to try the idea of cooking with broth instead of oil and see how that goes. I'll choose the no salt added kind because I'd also like to keep my sodium under control. They sure don't make it easy to add flavor to your diet in a healthy way, do they?

[tara]

Don't forget that some recipes might just need to be given up altogether. There are times when it is great just the way it is so if you tinker with it, you just won't like it as much. Save them for rare special occasions instead of just frustrating yourself with something you don't like as much.

[bhollytba]

I try to add as many veggies as possible to my favorite recipes, that really helps! For example when I make pasta I add chopped zucchinis, sliced mushrooms, (and often other veggies such as tomatoes and bellpeppers) to the sauce to make it chunky and full of veggies. If you eat more of the veggies in the sauce you naturally eat less pasta.

With chili I add zucchinis and mushrooms again and often yellow squash and jalapenos (they soak up the chili spices so you can't taste them except the jalapenos). That plus super lean turkey meat makes for a really low cal chili.

With asian food add lots of veggies like carrots and broccoli. It also helps if you eliminate the rice altogether and just eat the veggies and meat.

When you make mashed potatoes or mac n cheese substitute half of the carb for cauliflower, it blends pretty well and you can really cut down your calories!

Pretty much any meat dish can have added (or even be replaced by) portabellas, like hamburgers, meatloaf, or fajitas.

[anne]

With chili I add zucchinis and mushrooms again and often yellow squash and jalapenos (they soak up the chili spices so you can't taste them except the jalapenos). That plus super lean turkey meat makes for a really low cal chili.

Thank you for this information about chili spices. I will realy use this. I haven't used peppers much because I'm scared of cooking too hot. This is helpful!

[jenny25]

Use more flavors. The more flavor there is to a meal, the less of it you need to eat so that you will be satisfied. That way, you won't consume as many calories. So start learning about herbs and spices. Use spicy chilis, use fresh herbs (you can even grow them) and learn about spices from around the world, how to use them, and what to combine them with.

[treehuggertodd]

I try to add as many veggies as possible to my favorite recipes, that really helps! For example when I make pasta I add chopped zucchinis, sliced mushrooms, (and often other veggies such as tomatoes and bellpeppers) to the sauce to make it chunky and full of veggies. If you eat more of the veggies in the sauce you naturally eat less pasta.

With chili I add zucchinis and mushrooms again and often yellow squash and jalapenos (they soak up the chili spices so you can't taste them except the jalapenos). That plus super lean turkey meat makes for a really low cal chili.

With asian food add lots of veggies like carrots and broccoli. It also helps if you eliminate the rice altogether and just eat the veggies and meat.

When you make mashed potatoes or mac n cheese substitute half of the carb for cauliflower, it blends pretty well and you can really cut down your calories!

Pretty much any meat dish can have added (or even be replaced by) portabellas, like hamburgers, meatloaf, or fajitas.

You're really right. Adding veggies is the way to go