There are many things that can be done to reduce the calories in a favorite recipe without sacrificing flavor. For example, you may find it very easy to turn a family favorite pancake recipe into a low calorie pancake recipe. One of the first things to cut out of any recipe to cut calories is fat. In many recipes, especially for baking, some or all of the fat can still be substituted for applesauce. Applesauce keeps the product moist but does not add fat. Applesauce only has 90 calories per half cup, but butter or margarine has 810. That’s a savings of more than 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 those for pancakes, you may be able to omit any added sugar. This is especially true if you are substituting applesauce for fat. While sugar only has 15 calories per teaspoon, most of us don’t stop with just one teaspoon. Choose egg whites instead of whole eggs. Egg whites are much lower in fat and cholesterol than egg yolks.
Although switching from white flour to whole wheat, buckwheat, or oatmeal often doesn’t change the number of calories, it does increase the fiber in foods. Since fiber is indigestible, it passes through your system quickly and effectively to lower your calorie count. Additionally, fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol counts and the likelihood of cancer. Once you’ve made some great pancakes, you can also save calories by choosing what you put on those pancakes wisely. If you are adding lightly sweetened fruit or unsweetened fruit spreads, you may not need butter or margarine. If you must have whipped cream or topping, choose the light variety to save calories. The fruit can be sweetened with an artificial sweetener to reduce the calories from sugar.
If you must use syrup on your pancakes, make it light. Two tablespoons of regular pancake syrup has 110 calories. By contrast, the same amount of light pancake syrup has only fifty calories. Also, again consider low-fat margarine or choose a butter replacement spray. While these changes can make significant changes to the taste of your favorite recipes, they will allow you to enjoy many of your favorite foods.
In addition to the low calorie pancake recipe, you’ll discover that many other recipes that have been family favorites over the years can be converted to reduce calorie and fat content while increasing fiber for have a healthier dish on your table.