Resources

Substitutions

Self-Rising Flour

Replace 1 cup self-rising flour with: 
7/8 cup flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt

Baking Powder

For 1 teaspoon of baking power, use one of these:
1 tablespoon flour OR 1 teaspoon corn starch

Buttermilk

Don't have buttermilk?  For 1 cup , try:
1 tablespoon lemon juice OR vinegar PLUS 1 cup milk

Corn Syrup

For 1 cup of corn syrup, try:
1 1/4 cups white sugar & 1/3 cup water OR
1 cup honey
View more substitutions...

Tips

Holiday Survival Guide

  1. Eat a light snack to prevent overeating at buffets.
  2. Limit alcohol to reduce unwanted calories.
  3. Bring a healthy low-fat dish to the party.
  4. Avoid snacking temptations by giving crafts or other gifts instead of baked goods.
  5. Always keep low-calorie foods like raw produce on hand for snacking.
  6. Substitute healthful ingredients for those high in calories and fat.
  7. Team up with a buddy and support and encourage each other to make healthy choices.
  8. Remember to eat right and exercise most days.  Holidays are special days.
  9. Don't allow the holidays to be an excuse for easing off your exercise routine.  Keep it up!
  10. Celebrate with family and friends in ways that don't center around food.

Quick and Easy Meals with Chicken

CHICKEN PIZZA

Use whole grain-pie crust recipe from this site as your pizza crust.  Mix spaghetti sauce with oregano and garlic powder.  Spread on pizza crust just to inside outer edge.  Layer sauce with thinly sliced fresh tomatoes, bell pepper strips and cooked/deboned chicken.  Spread grated cheese on top.  Cook until cheese is melted.  May brown briefly under broiler for a browner color.  For variety, use salsa instead of spaghetti sauce on the crust.

270 calories / 11g fat / 35mg cholesterol / 295mg sodium / 24g carbohydrates / 4g fiber / 15g protein

CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS

Add cooked/deboned chicken to broth on stove.  Heat chicken broth to a rolling boil.  Prepare bakery mix, drop biscuits with 2 cups mix and 2/3 cup low-fat milk.  Drop by spoonfuls into broth.  Cook until dough is sticky.

140 calories / 3g fat / 20mg cholesterol / 300mg sodium / 20g carbohydrates / 1g fiber / 9g protein

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Cook rotini pasta according to package directions.  Add any raw vegetables, including any of the following:  broccoli, bell pepper, tomato chunks, cubed yellow squash.  Add 1 cup of any of your favorite bottled salad dressings, like Italian, ranch, etc.

180 calories / 0g fat / 0mg cholesterol / 440mg sodium / 44 carbohydrates / 3g fiber / 5g protein

BUFFALO PULLED CHICKEN SANDWICH

Add hot sauce to chicken.  Let set for approximately 10 minutes.  Grill bun.  Place meat on but and serve.

270 calories / 5g fat / 70mg cholesterol / 1040mg sodium / 21g carbohydrates / 1g fiber / 32g protein

 

Estimating Food Portions

(when measuring utensils aren't available)

1 cup of cereal flakes = adult fist

1/2 cup cooked rice/pasta = 2 baseballs

1 medium bake potato = adult fist

1 cup fresh fruit = baseball

1 oz cheese = 4 dice

1 tablespoon peanut butter = half a ping-pong ball

3 oz meat = deck of cards

3 oz grilled fish = checkbook

ChooseMyPlate.gov
Ten tips for incorporating these principles in your diet:
  1. Balance calories
  2. Enjoy your food, but eat less
  3. Avoid oversized portions
  4. Add foods to eat more often to your grocery list
  5. Make half your plate fruits and veggies
  6. Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk
  7. Make half your grains whole grains
  8. Be aware of foods to eat less often
  9. Compare sodium in foods
  10. Drink water instead of sugary drinks
Find more information at ChooseMyPlate.gov

Quick & Easy Meals with Cheese

CHEESE SOUP

In a medium saucepan, heat 3 cups lower-sodium vegetable broth, 3 cubed potatoes, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped carrots and 1/4 cup chopped celery.  Bring to a boil then cover and simmer on low until the potatoes are tender. Mash with a potato masher.  Add 5 slices (5 oz) cheese and 1/2 cup low-fat milk.  Stir and cook until cheese melts.  Add pepper to taste.

110 calories / 2g fat / 5mg cholesterol / 300mg sodium / 14g carbohydrates / 2g fiber / 8g protein

MIX-N-MAC & CHEESE

Mix a pound of cooked macaroni with milk and melted buttery spread.  Add cheese until melted.  Have fresh vegetables available to mix-in for variety.  Vegetables such as chopped broccoli or diced bell pepper.

310 calories / 11g fat / 30mg cholesterol / 70mg sodium / 35g carbohydrates / 1g fiber / 16g protein

CHEESE NACHOS

Place grated cheese on tortilla chips.  Place under broiler and melt cheese.  Top with any fresh vegetables or refried beans.  This adds variety and nutritiion.

330 calories / 21g fat / 60mg cholesterol / 55mg sodium / 11g carbohydrates / 0g fiber / 19g protein

GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Butter one side of two pieces of bread.  Place one slice cheese on inside of slices (buttered-side out).  Place on heated griddle.  Toast both sides until brown and cheese melts.

340 calories / 20g fat / 50mg cholesterol / 1070mg sodium / 29g carbohydrates / 2g fiber / 15g protein

PIMENTO CHEESE SANDWICH

Grate one pound cheese and then add a small jar (4 oz) of drained, rinsed pimentos.  Add 1 large chopped onion and 1-2 tablespoons mayonnaise to make mixture stick together.  Chill and serve on sandwich bread.

165 calories / 3g fat / 5mg cholesterol / 410 mg sodium / 29g carbohydrates / 4g fiber / 10g protein
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