Extra butter can make foods taste so good, but what isn’t so good are the extra calories and increased health risks like high cholesterol that are served up as well. If you enjoy baking or eating baked goods, removing some or all of the butter from your favorite recipes can significantly reduce the amount of cholesterol and fat without reducing the taste. Next time you’re making a recipe that calls for butter, try using one of these healthier alternatives instead.
1. Avocado
Have no fear – avocados won’t make your cookies taste “avocado-y” or look green! Replacing butter with avocado lowers the calorie count and makes your baked goods chewier. Substitute half the butter your recipe calls for (e.g., 1 cup butter = 1/2 avocado and 1/2 butter) with MASHED avocado and enjoy!
2. Greek Yogurt
Using plain Greek yogurt is a great way to reduce calories and saturated fat in a recipe. If you recipe suggests 1 cup of butter, use 1/2 cup of butter and 1/4 cup of full-fat Greek yogurt. Experiment with more or less yogurt to get the consistency and taste that works best for what you’re making.
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3. Applesauce
Applesauce is commonly used as an oil replacement and works best in cake-like recipes. Use the same substitution method as with avocado, or replace all of the butter in your recipe with applesauce to reduce more calories.
4. Prune Puree
Baking with prune puree will help keep you regular and reduce your fat and calorie intake. If you do not have equipment to puree prunes yourself, store-bought prune puree will work just fine. Substitute the full measure of butter in your recipe with the puree.
5. Canola Oil
Canola oil is slightly higher in calories than butter, but is lower in sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat. Experiment with this oil for recipes that use melted butter.
These butter alternatives are also good for vegan foodies, too!
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Healthy Weight Loss center for more articles.