Recipe: Healthy Muffins Out of the Box (how to cut fat when using muffin mixes)

HEALTHY MUFFINS OUT OF THE BOX

"Healthy out-of-the-box muffins: Here's how to cut the fat and raise the fiber when using a commercial muffin mix."

1. Switch to a healthier fat, such as canola or olive oil, and use just 1 tablespoon of oil per batch of mix. For example, if a mix calls for 3 tablespoons of butter and you use only 1 tablespoon of olive oil instead, you save 186 calories and 21 grams of fat (20 grams saturated).

2. Use egg whites instead of whole eggs, substituting 2 egg whites for each egg, to cut 42 calories and 5 grams of fat (1.6 grams saturated) per egg.

3. Use reduced-fat dairy products. By trading whole milk for nonfat, you'll save 64 calories and 8 grams of fat (4.6 grams saturated) per cup. By choosing nonfat or lowfat yogurt over regular yogurt, you'll dodge up to 7 grams of fat (5 grams saturated) per cup.

4. Fold in fresh or frozen fruit (such as diced apples and pears, frozen blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and/or strawberries); add 1 cup of fruit per box of mix.

Source: Source: Robin Vitetta-Miller, Mighty muffins in Shape magazine, October 10, 2004