Diet Food Substitution List

Food Preferences

What if I want to substitute one diet food for another one? Maybe you just can't stand green peas, or you're allergic to milk. If you feel that a selection must be changed, substitute with the same food group. Staying within the same food group will assure that your calories stay consistent and the quality of your vitamins and minerals is secure.

Bread Group

cereal, pitas, English muffins, dried peas and beans, crackers, pasta, tortillas, couscous and starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, baked beans or corn.

Vegetable Group

leafy greens including lettuce, endive, escarole, romaine, spinach, kale, collard or turnip greens, raw or cooked carrots, celery, bean sprouts, onions, pea pods, tomatoes, cucumber, water chestnuts, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, squash, peppers, artichoke hearts, eggplant, or Brussels sprouts.

Fruit Group

100% juice, mango, berries, banana, apple, cherries, papaya, melon, citrus, kiwi, grapes, peaches, peas, and plums.

Milk Group

fat free or low fat milk, soymilk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese.

Meat Group

turkey, chicken, egg, egg substitute, fish, sea food, lean red meat, lean pork, lamb, duck, pheasant, tofu, dried beans, and peanut butter.

Fats, oils, sweets

butter, margarine, sugar, jelly, mayonnaise, salad dressing, sour cream, cream cheese, soft drinks, alcohol.

Food Allergies

If you need to alter your diet for a food allergy, this section will guide you through the substitutions that need to be made for your menu.

If you are allergic to milk - restrictions for a milk allergy includes butter, milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, no-fat milk, solids, whey, cream, ice cream, butter milk, chocolate, and prepared foods containing casein, sodium casient, lactoglobulin, and lactabumin.

Alternatives:
Imitation cheese, tofu, soy milk, soy milk yogurt, soy margarine or any milk free margarine.

If you are allergic to wheat - restrictions for wheat allergy include wheat, wheat germ, semolina, graham, bran, all-purpose flour, cake flour, gluten flour, graham flour, modified food starch, and malt or cereal extract.

Alternatives:
Potatoes, rice, rice and corn cakes, corn or rice noodles.

If you are allergic to egg - restrictions for an egg allergy include both egg white and egg yolk.

Alternatives:
Commercial egg substitute are available but label reading is imperative as many low-cholesterol egg substitute products contain egg whites. Other protein sources such as yogurt, lean ham, or cottage cheese can also be used as breakfast substitutions. Mayonnaise can be replaced with flavored mustard or an egg free salad dressing such as ranch or French.