After a holiday season filled with parties, Christmas cookies, and other indulgences, many of us have made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or at least try to get healthier. While it’s not my number one goal for the year, eating healthier is pretty high up on my list of priorities. It’s second to getting organized which in effect does improve my health, as it will help me to keep my sanity in tact. To ensure my success on the road to a healthier diet, I’ve rounded up 16 healthy recipe makeovers that cut some of the calories and fat from some of my favorite dishes.
Simple Ways to Cut Calories and Fat from Recipes
- Saute vegetables in a couple of tablespoons of low-sodium vegetable broth, instead of oil or butter.
- Use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise and sour cream.
- Bulk up meals with lots of extra vegetables.
- Squeeze on citrus, instead of using butter for added flavor.
- When making cream-based soups, sub fat-free half-and-half for any heavy cream.
- When baking, substitute fats like butter and oil with apple sauce.
- Downsize portions. I know this is obvious, but eating smaller portions can go a long way in helping you to lose weight.
- Remove the skin from chicken. You can keep the skin on while cooking to retain moisture, but remove the skin before eating. Three ounces of chicken breast meat with skin has almost 150 calories; three ounces of chicken without the skin has 50 fewer calories.
I’m one of those people who needs to take baby steps when making changes. So, if you’re anything like me you’ll appreciate that all of these tips are rather doable and simple changes that you probably won’t even notice. I would love to hear some of your tips for cutting calories and fat.
Which recipe do you most want to try?
Related articles
Jennifer B says
January 15, 2014 at 4:59 PMThanks for this list! I am looking for more low calorie meals to prepare for my family!
Amy Desrosiers says
January 15, 2014 at 5:12 PMTaco dip is definitely a meal that I want to make low fat and gluten free for my family!
Stefani says
January 17, 2014 at 8:10 PMI want to try the taco dip too! Looks yummy… 🙂
Ellen Christian says
January 15, 2014 at 5:12 PMWe use Greek yogurt all the time. Thanks for the tips!
Debbie Denny says
January 15, 2014 at 5:14 PMGreat ideas and choices! Have a great New Year!
erica says
January 15, 2014 at 5:48 PMWhat a great list. I wonder if I can “trick” my hubby into eating healthier with this list.
Janel says
January 15, 2014 at 5:57 PMThis tips are awesome!! I never would have thought to use broth in place of oil for sauteing!
Jo-Ann Brightman says
January 15, 2014 at 6:15 PMThis is a great list of tips to reduce calories without noticing it.. I want to try substituting the fat free half and half for heavy cream
Debbie says
January 15, 2014 at 7:01 PMGreat tips – thanks. I am always trying ways to make meals healthier and less calories
Ave says
January 15, 2014 at 7:27 PMThanks for sharing interesting tips. As sour cream is not sold here in Spain, I have to substitute it with Greek yogurt anyway.
Pam says
January 15, 2014 at 7:29 PMI have been trying to eat healthier lately. These are great tips.
Tara says
January 15, 2014 at 8:02 PMYou made healthy look delicious! Great post! Pinning!
Shauna says
January 15, 2014 at 8:06 PMWow, what a great list… I never heard of using Greek Yogurt… what a great idea… I could see using it instead of sour cream but wonder how it would taste in the place of Mayo… hmmm… may have to try it.
Joanna Sormunen says
January 15, 2014 at 8:42 PMThank you! These are great tips and I will use them to my full advantage 🙂
Dianna @ Oy Vey a Day says
January 15, 2014 at 9:01 PMI would love to try the meatloaf. I love a good meatloaf… and I haven’t yet found a healthy recipe for GOOD meatloaf. Maybe this recipe will be the answer!
Pam says
January 15, 2014 at 9:11 PMI want to try the buffalo chicken dip first. That looks delicious!
saminder gumer says
January 15, 2014 at 9:34 PMthese are some great comments and suggestions from everyone. i am trying to cut back on the meat i eat and trying to eat more fruits and vegetables. i will hopefully stick to it longer than other diets in the past.
Donna says
January 15, 2014 at 9:38 PMI actually do all of these (I need to do them more, though). And I’d like to try the skinny spaghetti squash alfredo!
Lisa says
January 15, 2014 at 9:42 PMI love your suggestion.
Elizabeth @ Food Ramblings says
January 15, 2014 at 9:45 PMBookmarking this — love that you can make your favorite meals healthier!
Cynthia L says
January 15, 2014 at 9:58 PMGreat tips I will have to make a list of some of them. I don’t always think about how to cook healthier, even though I should.
Mom Blog says
January 15, 2014 at 10:08 PMGreat tips, I forgot about using apple sauce.
Sarah L says
January 15, 2014 at 10:09 PM15 Minute Mushroom Stroganoff caught my eye, can’t wait to try it. The others look good too.
Amanda Love says
January 15, 2014 at 10:15 PMI’ve read before about substituting for greek yogurt but have personally never tried it. As for small portions I do need to do that. I like having a full plate and stuffing my face whenever I go out to eat. I know it’s not healthy but I just can’t help myself, I love to eat. 🙂
jenny at dapperhouse says
January 15, 2014 at 11:04 PMThanks for the tips. MAN OH MAN could I cut out a LOT of fat and calories. . . I have to put some of your suggestions to good use starting TODAY!
Jennifer says
January 15, 2014 at 11:05 PMGreat suggestions!! I swap out Greek yogurt for sour cream all the time. Sometimes the hubs doesn’t even notice. 😉
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
January 16, 2014 at 12:11 AMI have to go with the green bean casserole! It’s a winner for life!
Brittnei says
January 16, 2014 at 12:22 AMYou have no idea! This is like my favorite thing to do. I’ve done this with a few recipes and my husband doesn’t know the difference!
Danielle says
January 16, 2014 at 1:59 AMI love the idea of using greek yogurt and citrus! The yogurt is so high in protein… and the citrus so refreshing and uplifting… yum!
Heather @ It's a Lovely Life! says
January 16, 2014 at 3:35 AMThanks for the tips. We often switch the mayo for yogurt… I think it tastes even better that way!
Christy @ A Woman The World Deserves says
January 16, 2014 at 8:24 AMI love all of your tips! One thing I will start away is squeezing the citrus on my food!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
January 16, 2014 at 9:08 AMgreat ideas, I like to do this too, taking leftovers and giving it a whole new twist!
Brandy says
January 16, 2014 at 10:32 AMThis is a great list. I am on the look out for information like this so I can learn to eat healthier and share what I learn with my children. I hope to be a great influence on food intake with my kids.
Nicole B says
January 16, 2014 at 10:53 AMLove all your suggested substitutions. I have been using Greek Yogurt to replace sour cream and mayo and it almost always makes things taste better! Plus it’s healthier.
Jessica says
January 16, 2014 at 11:06 AMYUM! That’s a great list and very helpful information for making meals healthier. I have been looking for alternatives to cut out the unwanted fats. I could use Greek yogurt for anything ,especially for yummy fruit dips!
Mellisa says
January 16, 2014 at 11:23 AMYUM! I love all the tips.
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says
January 16, 2014 at 11:52 AMWhat a great list of tips. We often do most of these, but I’ve never thought of squeezing citrus on food as an alternative to fats..I just like lime:)
brett says
January 16, 2014 at 12:36 PMi always try to swap for healthier options. i also keep TRYING To like greek yogurt. so far, i’m not succeeding
Danielle @ We Have It All says
January 16, 2014 at 12:48 PMGreat tips! This is what I try to do with everything we make!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
January 16, 2014 at 1:10 PMCutting back on portions for me is the big one. I am one of those people that doesn’t know when to stop, so I end up gorging myself and then I get mad at myself for eating too much.
Amanda M. says
January 16, 2014 at 1:23 PMGreat collection of recipes! I like to use small plates so that my smaller portions look bigger 🙂
Billie says
January 16, 2014 at 1:41 PMWhat a delicious looking list! The spaghetti squash Alfredo especially!
Tammy says
January 16, 2014 at 1:43 PMDownsize portions, is the way I go. I’m one of those people that prefers the full fat, full flavored foods, I’d rather have a little of the real thing than a lot of something that has fat-free in it.
Jennifer Bullock {MommyBKnowsBest} says
January 16, 2014 at 2:02 PMI have been seeing the Greek yogurt swap, but am too afraid to try it yet. I have definitely downsized my portions and while I’m hungrier, I know that drinking more water would help too. Thanks for the tips and your slider is beautiful!
Jennifer says
January 16, 2014 at 3:13 PMI’ve been working on downsizing my portions… My eyes are so much bigger than my stomach.
Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews says
January 16, 2014 at 3:45 PMI can’t decide….the taco dip, the green bean or the lentil soup.
Jodi @ A Mom Having Fun says
January 16, 2014 at 4:45 PMThese are great suggestions. I am trying to move us into a a plan of eating more healthy. These will fit in perfectly!
Stefani says
January 16, 2014 at 5:57 PMOooh, there are quite a few of these recipes that I would like to try. I want to try the skinny taco dip first!
Janel says
January 16, 2014 at 7:52 PMLove the idea of using citrus rather than butter. We have TONS and TONS of citrus down here in AZ so it’d be a free substitute, for us.
Jaime says
January 16, 2014 at 8:44 PMThe General Tso Chicken looks so great! I’ve tried a few low-fat recipes recently and I’m still on the hunt for tastier options. I love the idea of sauteeing in broth versus oil! Definitely going to try that.
Felicia says
January 16, 2014 at 10:02 PMThese are all such great recipe ideas! I love the way that dip looks.
Katie says
January 16, 2014 at 10:11 PMthat skinny taco dip looks amazing!
[email protected] says
January 17, 2014 at 8:33 AMi think the swapping of ingredients is the simplest you can do. i like using yogurt and applesauce in place of fats without compromising taste
Rachael says
January 17, 2014 at 1:48 PMLooking forward to trying some of these healthier recipes!
Amy Desrosiers says
January 17, 2014 at 3:33 PMThe lower fat hazelnut truffles sound so good! I have never attempted to make my own yet, but am inspired!
Piera says
January 17, 2014 at 4:27 PMThese are excellent tips! We also use greek yogurt to sub for sour cream or mayo – it not only tastes great, but also adds tons of protein.
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest says
January 17, 2014 at 5:14 PMI love taking fattening recipes and making them healthier. Ever since my husband got his gallbladder removed we have had to really health-a-fy our appetizers.
Sherri says
January 17, 2014 at 6:51 PMI have put off swapping mayo & sour cream with greek yougurt because I hate the taste of it…. is it as obvious in a recipe like that?
Damaris @Foodie says
January 17, 2014 at 7:07 PMYour posts are always so good! I love advice you give.
Marcie W. says
January 17, 2014 at 7:16 PMEverything looks delicious that lightened up buffalo chicken dip would be perfect for game time!
Lesa says
January 17, 2014 at 7:48 PMthis is a nice way to summarize these items all in one place. I can print this list out and keep in the kitchen so I can think to do this calorie/fat cutting while cooking. Thank you!
Prototype Mama says
January 17, 2014 at 9:16 PMThose are some great options! I need some ideas– all in one place like this
Paige says
January 17, 2014 at 9:29 PMThese are great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Robin Gagnon says
January 17, 2014 at 10:43 PMMmm… that spaghetti squash alfredo looks mighty good.
Tammy S says
January 18, 2014 at 1:14 PMThanks for the tips. We have used applesauce instead of oil for all our baking for ages. It works great and is still moist. I didn’t know that about chicken breast skin being 50 calories.
Lolo says
January 19, 2014 at 4:14 AMI love taco dip. Thanks for the recipe makeovers!
Rachel says
January 19, 2014 at 3:10 PMThe mac and cheese sounds so great, and I love that is made healthier.
Kathleen says
January 19, 2014 at 10:32 PMI am definitely trying that skinny taco dip later this week!
Stefanie says
January 19, 2014 at 11:45 PMI want that skinny taco dip! Yum!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
January 27, 2014 at 10:10 AMI definitely want to try the Skinny Taco Dip. I’ve been a Mexican food kick lately.
Cathy Jarolin says
February 17, 2014 at 9:08 PMYour Skinny Taco Dip looks so Yummy. How awesome! Something that looks as good and tastes Great is actually Healthier for you. I too am trying to eat Healthier. This recipe definitely made my List! Thankyou for sharing!