Saturated Fat Substitutions: Simple Ways to Cut Down Fat

Ready to reduce fat in your diet the easy way? You might think there is no easy way to do this, but rest assured that you can do it. It is all about knowing what you shouldn't have. This tends to be a problem for a lot of people because they forget one important step, knowing what to replace all the bad stuff with. It is a two-part process. So let's get started with some substitution ideas.

Reduce Butter

Instead of using butter, margarine or any other fats that are "hard", try using spreads that are low in fat or margarine that is polyunsaturated. What are polyunsaturated fats? These are fats found in foods such as nuts, leafy greens and fish. Polyunsaturated fats are much more healthier for you than saturated fat.

Reduce High Fat Snacks

The world of snacks high in fat is a large one in fact. Chips, blueberry muffins, glazed doughnuts, pastries, sugar cookies and pretty much anything with "crisp" attached to the name is just not that great for your diet. If you are really trying to cut down the fat, try eating fresh fruits or dried fruits. If you have forgotten how delicious fruit can be, it might be time to refresh your memory, as well as your grocery list.

If you must, I mean must have your chocolate cakes and apple pies, you have the option of baking them yourself. If you choose this option, you have to make sure that you use low fat and reduced fat ingredients and you will have your own home-baked healthy treat. Guilt-free!

Reduce Fatty Meats

Continuing on down the list, we have arrived at fatty meats. If you have any trouble figuring out which meats are fatty, ask yourself these simple questions: When you cook the meat, does it have the ability to cook itself in its own fats? Does the liquid that came from the meat harden after it sits at room temperature for a while? If so, you are working with meat high in fat.

Instead of cooking sausages and bacon, throw some chicken on the grill or substitute ground turkey meat in for your chili recipe. If you are using pork or beef, be sure to buy only the leanest cuts. Also, be sure to remove any fat that you can see on the meat prior to cooking.

These are just a few ways to reduce the amount of saturated fat that you have in your diet. By reducing this kind of fat, you lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease and you can shed extra, unwanted pounds. Mostly, you just feel better about yourself and your diet. The best way to implement saturated fat substitution is to just take it slow. Gradually change your diet habits so that they stick and aren't temporary. Your body will be forever grateful.