Weight Management Using Weight Loss Recipes

Cooking for yourself is one of the easiest ways to promote weight management because it lets you measure portion sizes and control the amount of fat and sugar that goes into a meal.

Read on for a few simple suggestions that can turn any recipe from a waistline buster to a weight loss recipe.

• Choose to use baking sugar substitute instead of real sugar; a half cup usually stands in for one cup of regular sugar with half the calories and none of the blood sugar swings.

• If a recipe calls for minced beef, use minced turkey instead.

• Sautéing? Skip the butter and the margarine and use fat-free cooking spray and vegetable oils such as olive and canola instead. At least you're reaping the benefits of the heart-healthy monosaturated fats.

• Turn to applesauce rather than butter or oil when baking; cookies and cakes will taste the same and be deliciously moist.

• Use plain yogurt of fat-free cottage cheese instead of sour cream.

• Grab two egg whites and use those for every whole egg required; even better? Use a half cup of egg substitute for every egg.

• If cheese is required in a recipe, use smaller amounts of sharp tasting cheddar and parmesan rather larger quantities of a milder cheese. Even better? Choose low-fat and fat-free; if you can't stand the taste or texture, go 50/50.

• Making cheesecake? Reach for light cream cheese or ricotta cheese (which is less dense and contains less sugar).

• Certain 'comfort foods' can be made healthly; want to make mac'n cheese? Cut down on the cheese and toss a few handfuls of spinach or broccoli into the mix. Add steamed cauliflower into pasta dishes (such as pasta salad and lasagne) to get all the nutrients of this 'white vegetable' and cut down on the empty carbs.

AllRecipes.com has an entire searchable database devoted to 'Healthy Living;' click on their site at www.healthy.allrecipes.com to check out recipes ranging from low fat to low carb to high fiber. You'll also find recipes for diabetics and those with food allergies.

Fitness magazine provides some yummy recipes that are easy to follow and delicious to try; if you're interested in Roasted Moroccan Lamb and Butternut Squash (380 calories per serving) or Chocolate Marble Brownies (only 106 calories each), visit www.fitnessmagazine.com.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Weight Loss

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