13 Ways to Love Your Recipes Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions Use these ingredient substitutions to cut down on calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium in your favorite recipes but keep the flavor. Butter, margarine, shortening or oilReplace 1 cup of butter with ¾ cup of a healthy oil (avocado, canola, corn, olive or sunflower). Applesauce or prune puree can replace half of the butter or shortening in recipes for baked goods. EggsInstead of whole eggs, try 2 egg whites or 1/4 cup egg substitute for each whole egg. Evaporated milkEvaporated skim milk can be substituted equally with regular evaporated milk. Cream cheeseSubstitute fat-free or low-fat cream cheese or low-fat cottage cheese (pureed until smooth) for regular cream cheese. Sour creamReplace sour cream with fat-free plain yogurt or fat-free/low-fat sour cream. MayoTry plain yogurt as a substitute for mayonnaise. SodiumReplace table salt with cumin, cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, lemon peel, nutmeg, onion powder, oregano, paprika, black pepper or rubbed sage. SugarCut the amount of sugar by half. Canned fruitInstead of canned fruit in heavy syrup, use fresh fruit or canned fruit in its own juices or water. YogurtUse plain yogurt instead of fruit-flavored yogurt. White flourSubstitute ½ cup of wheat flour for 1 cup of white flour. Bread crumbsReplace plain bread crumbs with oatmeal or bran cereal. White breadUse wheat bread or whole-grain bread instead of white bread.