Eating meals prepared at home usually means the meal will be lower in fat and total calories than premade food and will be much healthier than fast food. This logic can be sabotaged by even the most knowledgeable and experienced home chef who unknowingly adds unnecessary carbs and fat. Listen below are four of the most common mistakes made when preparing food at home that is supposed to be a healthy and hearty alternative to premade courses and eating out.

1. Using Too Much Oil.

  • The right cooling oil can be heart healthy but it can also be high in calories. Try misting your oil on dishes like sauteed vegetables. There are cooling oils in misters on your store shelves or you can clean out an empty spray bottle and fill it with olive oil of the extra virgin variety. For other dishes like potatoes, meat, and poultry, try coating the pan with just a few sprays. You’ll still get the flavor and non-stick of the oil without overdoing it.

    • 2. Cooking and Baking with real sugar.

  • Try artificial sweeteners. Many sugar alternatives like Splenda, Nutrasweet,and Equal can be used for cooking and baking. If you don’t like that aftertaste some artificial sweetners can leave lingering, try combining two different kinds of sweeteners.

    • 3. Using too much meat.

  • While you can’t fake the delicious and savory taste of steak, if you’re making a meal like a meat chili or beef stew, try swapping out half of the beef for soy crumbles or tofu. If you aren’t a big fan of soy, try adding beans, diced cherries, or another of your favorite fresh vegetables or fruit.

    • 4. Using High-Fat Cheeses.

  • Okay, fat-free cheese tastes horrible and doesn’t melt well at all but all is not lost when looking for a low-fat or reduced calorie cheese alternative. Try going with a reduced fat cheese. If you’ve never tried Cabot light cheddar cheese, as one example, you’re missing out on a great cheese option. This stuff melts well and tastes very similar to a full fat cheddar cheese.