Healthy Baking: How to Make Substitutions

We all love good baked goods, right？
But, sometimes these sugary sweets can be holding us back from our goals - alot further than we think. So, that said, here's the plan!

Why don't we use our brains to think up healthy substitutes for diet not-so-friendly ingredients?
Here are a few suggestions for you to try! The bad ingredient is listed first, followed by a healthier alternative.

1. Sour Cream - You can completely substitute this by using low-fat buttermilk or plain yogurt. Both have fewer calories and less fat.
2. Butter - You can substitute for half margarine, and half fruit puree. Anything like low-cal applesauce or mashed up bananas or prunes will work wonders. Canola oil or mild olive oil is also a choice here. For the best results, use a mixture of these ingredients.
   
3. All-Purpose Flour - Whole Wheat baking flour. Whole wheat is always better for you than plain white.
4. Chocolate - For chocolate batters, switch melted or chopped up baking chocolate for cocoa powder. 1 ounce of chocolate for 3 tablespoons of cocoa should do the trick. Cocoa is zero fat.
   
5. Eggs - If you're using more than one egg, one of them can be switched for just the egg white to reduce calories and cholesterol. You can also find egg substitute in some grocery stores.
   
6. Milk/Cream - Substitute for skim milk. Lower fat, carbs and calories.
7. Whipped Cream - Chilled, whipped evaporated skim milk will have almost the exact same flavor, with a quarter of the calories and almost no fat.
   
8. Butter (to grease pans): You probably haven't considered this, but the butter you use to grease your pans melts into the things you're baking and adds fat and calories. Try using Pam instead.