Smart food substitutions

Take a look at this list to see which high-fat foods you might be able to swap for a lower-fat or fat-free alternative.

Dairy

if you like…

try…

Whole milkSkimmed milk or 1% milk
CheeseFat-free or low-fat cheese, low-fat mozzarella cheese sticks, grated Parmesan cheese, fat-free cream cheese, fat-free cottage cheese, fat-free ricotta cheese
Sour creamFat-free sour cream, fat-free plain yogurt
Cream, half and half, non-dairy creamerFat-free half and half, fat-free non-dairy creamer
Ice creamSorbet, sherbet, fat-free ice cream and frozen yogurt, fruit ice, popsicles or ice lollies

Meat, poultry & fish

if you like…

try…

EggsEgg substitutes and egg whites
Cold cuts like bologna, salamiExtra lean (at least 95% fat-free) turkey, chicken, ham
Bacon and sausageCanadian ham, extra lean (at least 95% fat- free) ham, low-fat turkey bacon, bacon bits
Fatty cuts of beef like chuck, brisket and ribLeaner cuts like round and loin trimmed of visible fat (portion size=deck of cards)
PorkPork tenderloin trimmed of visible fat
Ground or minced meatsExtra lean (at least 95% fat-free) meat
Dark meat poultry with skinSkinless chicken or turkey breast
Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, trout, canned tuna in oilLean fish like tilapia, flounder, haddock, sole, halibut, all shellfish, canned tuna in water or fried fish
Fried chickenBread your own skinless chicken breast or fish and oven bake until crispy
Hot dogsAll-white meat turkey hot dogs or extra-lean (at least 95% fat-free) hot dogs

baked goods

if you like…

try…

CakeAngel food cake
CookiesFat-free fig cookies, low-fat animal crackers, low-fat vanilla wafers, fat-free devil’s food cookie cakes, sweet flavored rice cakes
Muffins, donuts, biscuits, cornbread, croissantsEnglish muffins, bagels, low-fat muffins, low-fat biscuit/cornbread mix

fats, oils, & salad dressing

if you like…

try…

Butter and margarine on breadFat-free butter spray, light margarine sparingly, jam, light cheese wedges
Oil for cookingNonstick cooking spray
Salad dressingFat-free salad dressing, vinegar, lemon, lime, light salad dressing used sparingly
MayonnaiseFat-free and low-fat mayonnaise, fat-free plain yogurt, mustard, light mayonnaise used sparingly
Peanut butterLow-fat peanut butter
Oil or butter in bakingApple sauce, date, prune puree, yogurt

snacks & sweets

if you like…

try…

French friesBake your own seasoned potato wedges, 98% fat-free French fries
Potato and corn chipsPretzels, low-fat baked chips, savory flavored rice cakes
Party crackersFat-free saltines, low-fat crackers, rice crackers
NutsPopcorn (air popped or light microwave)
Peanut butterLow-fat peanut butter spread
ChocolateFat-free chocolate syrup, chocolate fat-free ice cream or pudding, fat-free hot cocoa
Candy barsLicorice/liquorice, spice drops, lollipops, marshmallows, gummy candies

Others

if you like…

try…

Cream soupsLow-fat and broth based soups
GravyFat-free and low-fat gravy
Cream sauce on pastaTomato sauce on pasta
PizzaPizza made with no cheese, less cheese or low-fat cheese
Ramen noodlesNoodles, spaghetti, soba noodles
GranolaLow-fat granola, other dry cereals
AvocadoCucumber and tomato slices
OlivesCherry tomatoes