Recipe Make-over!!!!
Many of our heritage recipes contain more fat, cholesterol and or sugar than our current dietary guidelines recommend. And while there are times for special treats there are also some proven ways to modify recipes without losing taste. Consider the following before making any changes to that family heritage recipe.
Is the recipe already low in fat, cholesterol, sugar or salt?
If so, only minor or no changes may be needed. If a recipe calls for one egg and the dish serves eight people, the amount of cholesterol per serving already is relatively low.
How often is the food eaten?
It is not as important to modify a recipe for a dish eaten once or twice a year as it is for foods eaten more often. It is more important to cut the fat in a weekly tuna fish salad sandwich than it is to cut the fat in a birthday cake.
How much of the food is eaten?
Sometimes the best way to modify the intake of a certain food is to eat less of it. Decreasing the quantity eaten may be more satisfying than decreasing the quality. Many people prefer to eat less real jam or jelly than to eat the regular amount of a low-sugar jam.
Tips for Healthy Modifications
These suggestions apply to most foods except when specific proportions of ingredients are essential to prevent spoilage (such as cured meats, pickles, jams and jellies). Don't for get to check out some of our publications: Ingredient Substitutions and Recipe Makeovers!
