There are many things that can be done to lower the calories of a favorite recipe without sacrificing flavor. For example, you may find it very easy to convert a family favorite pancake recipe to a low calorie pancake recipe. One of the first things to cut out in any recipe to lower its calories is fat. In many recipes, especially for baking, some or all or the fat can be substituted equally for applesauce. The applesauce keeps the product moist but adds no fat. Applesauce only has 90 calories per half cup, but butter or margarine has 810. That means a savings of over 700 calories per half cup. Even if you switch to low fat margarine, you can cut the calories in half.
With some recipes, such as for pancakes, you may be able to leave out any added sugar. This is especially true if you are substituting applesauce for the fat. While sugar only has 15 calories per teaspoon, most of us do not stop with just one teaspoon. Choose egg whites instead of whole eggs. The whites are much lower in fat and cholesterol than are egg yolks.
Although you often do not change the calorie count by changing from white flour to whole wheat, buckwheat or oatmeal, you do increase the fiber in the food. Since the fiber is not digestible, it passes through your system quickly and effectively lowers the calorie count. In addition, the fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol count and the likelihood of cancer. Once you have made some great pancakes, you can also save calories by choosing wisely what you put on those pancakes. If you add lightly sweetened fruit or no sugar fruit spread, you may not need any butter or margarine. If you must have whipped cream or topping, choose the light variety to save calories. The fruit may be sweetened using an artificial sweetener to lower sugar calories.
If you must use syrup on your pancakes, go light. Two tablespoons of regular pancake syrup has 110 calories. In contrast, the same amount of lite pancake syrup has only fifty calories. In addition, consider the low fat margarine again or choose a butter replacement spray. Although these changes may make some significant taste changes in your favorite recipes, they will allow you to enjoy many of your favorite foods.
In addition to the low calorie pancake recipe, you will find that many other recipes that have been family favorites through the years can be converted to lower the calorie and fat content while increasing fiber for a healthier dish to set on your table.
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