Whether you try to look good or lose weight, eating healthy food is always going to your plan. We are what we eat, so eating healthy is important. Healthy food starts with using healthy ingredients, and it is essential to lookout for healthy ingredient swaps to cut off the extra fat and carbohydrates. With a few simple swaps, you can keep your ticker in top shape and still enjoy delicious food. Here are the top healthy ingredient substitutions:
BANANA FOR BUTTER IN DESSERTS
Banana puree can be used instead of butter or oil in your desserts like cakes, cookies, doughnuts, cupcakes, etc. It also gives your desserts an excellent texture and flavor. Use banana only if you are okay with the fruit’s distinct flavor.
PUMPKIN PUREE FOR CHEDDAR IN PASTAS
Pumpkin puree can be used in macaroni pasta in place of cheddar cheese. It will give a nice texture and flavour to it and you won’t have to compromise on the taste either. If you like, you can add half cheddar cheese and half pumpkin puree.
CACAO NIBS FOR CHOCOLATE CHIPS
Cacao nibs can be substituted for chocolate chips in cookies, cakes, chocolate mousse, shakes etc. Cacao nibs are unsweetened and unprocessed bits of roasted cocoa beans that are high in fat but also contain anti-oxidants, fibre and protein so they are always a healthy choice over chocolate chips.
CASHEW PASTE FOR HEAVY CREAM
If you love adding heavy cream in pastas, cottage cheese gravy, chicken gravy or smoothies, you can definitely substitute it with cashew paste. It tastes creamy just like heavy cream but is more flavourful, has a rich taste and is great in nutrients and low in fats as compared to heavy cream. Soak cashews in water for few hours and blend it alone until a creamy paste is obtained. Substitute 1 cup cashew paste for 1 cup of heavy cream.
FLAXSEEDS FOR EGGS
Flaxseeds make a healthy substitute for eggs in pan cakes. For 1 egg, mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal or ground flaxseeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it thicken. Use this for any of the baking recipes or pancakes. Flaxseeds contain essential fatty acids and folic acid and is definitely is healthy alternative for eggs.
JAGGERY FOR SUGAR
Jaggery is a well-known substitute for sugar. Honey too is used as an alternative but jaggery is healthier and is a better choice since it retains all the nutrients from the sugarcane and has taste similar to sugar. Since sugar and jaggery has the same source, you can easily substitute jaggery for sugar in almost any dish.
CHIA SEEDS FOR BREAD CRUMBS
You can swap an equal amount of chia seeds for bread crumbs. They taste almost the same and give a nice crunchy coating just like breadcrumbs but are healthier! They are rich in protein and have more fibre.