Favorite Food Swaps?

[Ellie May]

Love the Greek yogurt for sour cream trick. We mix it with the ranch powder for feggie dip.

Spaghetti squash instrad of pasta.

Plain yogurt with All Fruit instrad of presugared types (unless getting sugar free).

Homemade coleslaw with lite Miracle Whip and no sugar.

Adding lemon juice to water when m ice for a different water taste.

Adding raisins to cereal instead of buying the sugar-full Raisin Bran.

I'll think of more after I hit Reply.

[capt_noonie]

All you guys' swaps are better than mine. Hmmmm, Duke's or Best Foods?

But I LOVE labne, and I use it instead of cream cheese when I have it. I can only get it at the Middle eastern market and I don't go that far east very often anymore.

that cauliflower one sounds good. I love cauliflower but don't eat it enough.

[sugarmamma]

When I make homemade hummus (easy to do!) I add 90% less olive oil and instead use lemon juice and a bit of the packing liquid from the chickpeas.

Cuts fat calories waaaaaaaay down and I love the bright lemony taste!

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

All you guys' swaps are better than mine. Hmmmm, Duke's or Best Foods?

But I LOVE labne, and I use it instead of cream cheese when I have it. I can only get it at the Middle eastern market and I don't go that far east very often anymore.

that cauliflower one sounds good. I love cauliflower but don't eat it enough.

I have only had labne once but it was delicious! And you will love the cauliflower swap.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by sugarmamma

I try to substitute lower calorie/fat/carb whenever possible.

For instance I use Shiratake noodles or spaghetti squash or even grated zucchini instead of pasta.

I also use plain greek yogurt in place of sour cream ALL of the time (great mixed with salsa )

I sub out all or half cauliflower for potatoes in both mashed potatoes and even potato salad.

I add mushrooms to my meat based dishes. They have the same texture and flavor ~ nobody knows

What tricks do you use to cut calories but still eat well?

Oh yeah how are those Shiratake noodles? I've heard they're kinda gross. You have to rinse them a few times before using?

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by sugarmamma

If I buy frozen meals I try to extend the portion to double by adding veggies

Taco meat? Add refried beans!

I saw on hungry girl to rinse store bought coleslaw with water. Removes the fat but retains the flavor. Haven't tried that one yet.

fill hard boiled egg centers with hummus.

I make chips out of huge sheets of lavash! It's like 200 calories for an entire sheet!

Use lettuce instead of bread- or simply turn into a salad.

One very easy way to cut fat out of refried beans, is to not use lard. Traditionally, one big spoonful of manteca (lard), let it sizzle, then add the beans. Yum but fatty!

An easy and flarvorful alternative is a drizzle of olive oil. To that add a dried red chile, or a fresh green jalapeño, and let it brown for a second. Add lightly salted cooked pinto beans, let them come to a boil, then mash. It's so yummy this way! My mom switched to this version years ago, and we never noticed. We appreciated the chick from the chile, while not being too much. *TIP* if you try this, when mashing the beans, DON'T MASH THE CHILE!! The goal isn't to mash the chile and mix it with the beans. You might hit it in the mashing process, but don't intentionally blend it in. It'll overpower the taste of the homemade beans. Plus, at home my dad calls dibs on "la puya" (chile bud) to munch on as he eats.

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Oh yeah how are those Shiratake noodles? I've heard they're kinda gross. You have to rinse them a few times before using?

I have perfected the rinse and air dry process. Plus the spices cover any remaining tofu flavor.

((sorry about the snail))

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

One very easy way to cut fat out of refried beans, is to not use lard. Traditionally, one big spoonful of manteca (lard), let it sizzle, then add the beans. Yum but fatty!

An easy and flarvorful alternative is a drizzle of olive oil. To that add a dried red chile, or a fresh green jalapeño, and let it brown for a second. Add lightly salted cooked pinto beans, let them come to a boil, then mash. It's so yummy this way! My mom switched to this version years ago, and we never noticed. We appreciated the chick from the chile, while not being too much. *TIP* if you try this, when mashing the beans, DON'T MASH THE CHILE!! The goal isn't to mash the chile and mix it with the beans. You might hit it in the mashing process, but don't intentionally blend it in. It'll overpower the taste of the homemade beans. Plus, at home my dad calls dibs on "la puya" (chile bud) to munch on as he eats.

Thanks Susana!!

[capt_noonie]

Apparently I subbed out all my potatoes for cauliflower, so I had the right to use 3x the mayo (Dukes) needed for a proper "potato" salad. I basically had caluiflower drenched in mayo, after I had a bowl of pho. I gotta make up for that 2 miles I walked last week.

[chachi]

I do the mushrooms instead of meat especially in pastas

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Apparently I subbed out all my potatoes for cauliflower, so I had the right to use 3x the mayo (Dukes) needed for a proper "potato" salad. I basically had caluiflower drenched in mayo, after I had a bowl of pho. I gotta make up for that 2 miles I walked last week.

Hahahaha was it good?!?!

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by chachi

I do the mushrooms instead of meat especially in pastas

I was growing mushrooms in boxes in my basement when I lived in Michigan. Super easy to do and they were delicious


Lol don't know why the yorkie is there

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by sugarmamma

My kids both think they hate mushrooms too

Is that like my dh thinking he will die if he eats a green bell perpper??? What they don't know wont hurt them I say

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

One very easy way to cut fat out of refried beans, is to not use lard. Traditionally, one big spoonful of manteca (lard), let it sizzle, then add the beans. Yum but fatty!

An easy and flarvorful alternative is a drizzle of olive oil. To that add a dried red chile, or a fresh green jalapeño, and let it brown for a second. Add lightly salted cooked pinto beans, let them come to a boil, then mash. It's so yummy this way! My mom switched to this version years ago, and we never noticed. We appreciated the chick from the chile, while not being too much. *TIP* if you try this, when mashing the beans, DON'T MASH THE CHILE!! The goal isn't to mash the chile and mix it with the beans. You might hit it in the mashing process, but don't intentionally blend it in. It'll overpower the taste of the homemade beans. Plus, at home my dad calls dibs on "la puya" (chile bud) to munch on as he eats.

thanks for this recipe!! I am going to try it in my culinary arts class..will let you know how it works!

[sugarmamma]

Today I made enchiladas verde with black beans, corn, shredded sweet potatoes and tomatillos in place of the meat and topped with a tiny bit of mozzarella ! Delicious!!!