20 Tips for Low-fat Cooking

by Laura Torres | More from this Blogger

30 May 2006 04:58 PM

1. Use skim milk in cooking, even if you drink regular or low-fat milk. You won't taste a difference in the recipe.

2. Use low-fat or reduced-fat dairy products in your cooking when it won't make a difference, such as in dips.

3. Substitute evaporated skim milk for cream in sauces.

4. Instead of sour cream, use nonfat plain yogurt or buttermilk in recipes.

5. Serve two or three vegetables, like a salad, steamed broccoli and baby carrots with each meal.

6. Cook rice or pasta in chicken or vegetable broth; this adds flavor without lots of extra calories.

7. Trim away all visible fat from meats before cooking.

8. Drain meats well after browning.

9. Rinse ground beef after cooking in lukewarm water to remove excess fat.

10. Instead of cooking meats in fat, use broth or tomato sauce to add moisture.

11. Sauté onions and garlic in a small amount of fat (such as 1 teaspoon olive oil) plus chicken broth for use in soups or sauces.

12. Choose vinegar and olive oil-based salad dressings over mayonnaise-based dressings.

13. Substitute applesauce for the oil, or half the oil, in quick bread and muffin recipes.

14. Use Canadian bacon instead of regular bacon.

15. If your family doesn't like plain steamed vegetables, add some seasoned salt and low-fat butter granules to add flavor with hardly any fat or calories.

16. To cut the fat in your meat loaf or hamburgers, Use beans or bread crumbs to replace some of the meat in burgers and meat loaf.

17. Instead of mild cheddar cheese, use sharp cheddar and cut the amount in half.

18. When making egg salad, scrambled eggs or omelets, use mostly egg whites and a few yolks.

19. Use nonstick cooking spray instead of butter or oil. When you use oil, use olive oil.

20. Make a big green salad and serve it along with every meal.

Learn more about Laura Torres

Laura Torres is the best-selling author of many books for kids and teens, and a party planner. Check out her website at lauratorres.com.

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Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 30 May 2006 10:03 PM

Good ideas! I like the idea of replacing some meat with beans, and using sharp cheddar and cutting it in half :-)

Linda Hansen (1796) 22 Jan 2007 09:00 PM

I prefer sharp over mild cheddar anyway, lots more flavor. Good to know it's healthier. Artcraft