9 Little Diet Tricks to Eat Less Fat (Without Missing It)
Updated: Oct. 04, 2018
You know you should choose carrot sticks over potato chips and strawberries over cupcakes, but it’s way easier said than done. Pretty soon, you could end up missing your favourite foods and fall right back into the same routine. These fat-cutting tips, however, will leave you totally satisfied.
Step away from the stovetop
Grilling and roasting don’t take extra oil or butter like pan-frying does. Throw meats and veggies on the grill or in the oven for all of the flavour but none of the extra fat. When reheating, a microwave oven is a good bet—just remember not to reheat any of these six foods.
Pick the right cookware
If you do decide to cook on the stove, use a nonstick pan. With less chance of sticking, you can use little or no oil.
Check out 7 Cooking Mistakes Everybody Makes (and How to Fix Them).
Sauté the right way
To get back some of the flavour you’re missing on the stove without oil, try using another liquid. Cooking wine or vegetable stock will make your vegetables flavourful and tender. If oil is your only option, use nonstick vegetable oil spray instead of your regular pourable bottle.
Here are 20 Antioxidant-Rich Fruits and Vegetables You Should Be Eating.
Find new veggie condiments
If you wrinkle your nose at plain steamed vegetables, don’t assume butter is the only way to make them more appetizing. Squeeze on lime or lemon juice, or add a splash of seasoned rice vinegar.
Thicken soups without cream
You can still get that creamy consistency without your go-to dairy add-in. Toss in instant mashed potato flakes or a cooked and mashed potato, then make it smooth with an immersion blender. Don’t worry, potatoes aren’t the starchy, empty calories you think—they’re just one of many “unhealthy” foods you should stop demonizing.
Check out these 6 Simple Ways to Prevent Obesity, According to Science.
Tweak dessert recipes
A lot of times, the butter and oil that cake recipes and other baked goods call for are fairly arbitrary, meaning you can reduce the amount without majorly changing the texture or taste. Try cutting the suggested amount of half for a healthier option—if it’s too thick, add a bit more liquid. You can also experiment with subbing in apple sauce, canned pumpkin, or mashed banana for some of the fat.
Bake open-top pies
Skip the top crust on pies (apple pie! peach pie! yum!) to immediately cut out butter or shortening. With a delicious fruit filling and a tasty bottom crust, you won’t miss that extra layer on the top.
Try our Cranberry and Pecan Pie for a sure winner.
Choose homemade salad dressing
Even homemade salad dressings and vinaigrettes can be chock-full of oil. Sub out all or some of the oil for vegetable stock, bean cooking liquid, or seasoned rice vinegar. For a thicker consistency without mayonnaise or sour cream, heat a tablespoon of cornstarch and a cup of water over the stove, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick and clear.
Here are 6 Surprising Salad Tricks to Help You Lose More Weight.
Don’t go nuts
Depending on the recipe, an overload of nuts could be adding a ton of extra calories to an already high-fat dish. To keep that crunch you crave, replace excess nuts with crisp diced vegetables, fruit chunks, or a low-fat cereal like Grape-Nuts. But don’t cut all your good fats quite yet!
Coined the next superfood superstar, einkorn is still a best-kept secret.
