Healthier Mashed Potatoes

With Easter coming up, it’s a great time to try some healthier recipes and cut the fat out of the holiday. A serving of traditional mashed potatoes can have up to 400 calories per serving with a lot of that coming from butter and heavy cream. Just one tablespoon of heavy cream contains 50 calories and one tablespoon of butter contains 102 calories. That’s a lot when you consider that most people are on a 2000 calorie diet. Just one serving of mashed potatoes can load on the calories and derail your health goals.

Try swapping out 1 percent milk for the heavy cream, which will save you 175 calories. Look for whipped butter or a no-calorie butter alternative instead of using stick butter. Experiment with different flavors by adding herbs, spices or vegetables. Parmesan cheese has a strong flavor, which can add a kick to many dishes by adding zest without all the calories. Other ingredients to try are chives, basil, onion and garlic. Add some root vegetables for another way to cut down on calories.

Don’t forget about sweet potatoes for this Easter meal either. They are loaded with fiber and you can spice them up with cinnamon, nutmeg and a sprinkle of orange zest. They are great baked or even roasted on the grill. By cutting out unnecessary calories, you will be able to enjoy more of your holiday feast without giving up the foods you love.