Reducing the Fat in Cold Weather Meals

Cold weather meals are supposed to warm your soul. Unfortunately, many of them also seem to expand your waistline. It doesn't have to be this way. There are a number of ways to reduce the fat in cold weather meals. Best of all, you can do so without reducing the flavor of your favorite dishes.

Chili

Did you ever think that a big bowl of chili could actually be healthy? What about low-fat? It's actually quite easy to reduce the fat in this classic cold weather dish and you have more than one option. My favorite option is to use 93% lean ground beef. Because there is less fat in this type of ground beef, it actually tastes beefier. Another option is to use 98% fat-free ground turkey breast. Personally, I don't prefer this option because it can alter the flavor, but it's a great way to remove almost all the fat from a pot of chili.

Pot Roast

This is another meal that you'll find in most homes at least one a week during cold weather. While chuck is a favorite due to it's low price and rich flavor, it's also high in fat. Sirloin, on the other hand, is one of the leanest cuts you can purchase. If you're worried about it drying out, cook the roast in a slow cooker. This will keep the meat moist throughout the cooking process.

Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a tricky dish to remove the fat from. Obviously, you can use a 93% lean ground beef, but this can lead to a dry meatloaf. The key is to find low-fat ways to add moisture so that the lean ground beef doesn't dry out. I like to add onions, green bell peppers and garlic to a mini food processor and process until smooth. This adds moisture and flavor, without changing the texture of the meatloaf too much. Another great way to reduce the fat is to use egg whites rather than whole eggs. Last, but not least, skip the cracker crumbs and use oatmeal instead.

As you can see, reducing the fat in cold weather dishes isn't difficult. It also doesn't ruin the flavor. There are a number of ways to reduce the fat in your favorite cold weather dishes, no matter what they may be. Even macaroni and cheese can be a bit healthier by using low-fat milk and chicken stock rather than whole fat milk to make the sauce. Remember, you don't have to remove all the high fat ingredients. Just by making small tweaks here and there, you can greatly reduce the fat in many recipes.