Comfort Foods

Additional tips for eating healthy

by Nancy Burke, R.D., Danielle Karsies, M.S., R.D., and Melissa Shannon-Hagen, R.D., CSO
U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center Symptom Management and Supportive Care Program

 

Here are more specific tips on how to modify some of your favorite comfort food recipes without sacrificing the taste or the experience.

When making healthy substitutions, you can choose to make some of the suggested substitutions or all of them depending on your personal tastes and preferences.

 

Macaroni and cheese

Use whole wheat pasta

Reduce the amount of butter or margarine you use by half

Substitute low-fat or fat-free milk for whole milk

Substitute non-fat sour cream for regular

Use sharp cheddar in place of regular and reduce the amount used by ¼ cup

Mix in your favorite vegetable

 

Meatloaf

Use ground sirloin or lean ground turkey breast in place of ground chuck

Use oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs

Add finely chopped vegetables such as onions, carrots and zucchini to add flavor and moisture

Use 2 egg whites instead of the whole egg

 

Mashed potatoes

Leave the skin on the potatoes for more fiber

Use fat-free milk instead of whole or low-fat milk

Use soft tub margarine instead of stick butter or margarine, and decrease amount by ¼

Get creative with seasonings such as fresh roasted garlic, chives, etc. to boost flavor

 

Pizza

Use whole wheat pizza dough or make your own

Use a low sugar pizza sauce

Top with a variety of vegetables and leave the meat off

Use half the mozzarella and sprinkle on some fresh grated Romano cheese or use only a light layer of parmesan or Romano cheese, no mozzarella


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