Who doesn’t want a smaller waistline? The truth is, eating right can be a challenge, especially if you aren’t willing to sacrifice flavor for something bland and basic.

If you’re anything like the team at Passanante’s Home Food Service, you are passionate about great food. One of the best decisions you can make for yourself is to make the switch to organic fruits and vegetables. Growers use pesticides to protect crops from insects, molds and diseases.  While residues on most products don’t exceed government safety regulations, a growing number of consumers are opting out of chemically treated fruits and vegetables.  Passanante’s encourages you to make a conscious effort to reduce the chemicals in your meals and enjoy a happy, healthier lifestyle with organic produce.

We’ve put together a list of 10 ingredient substitutions to help you eat a little cleaner, because when you eat better you feel better. If you have any other great tips or tricks for reducing calories, fat, or chemicals in your diet we would love to hear them on our Facebook or Twitter!

1. Calls For: Vegetables and fruits

Substitute: Organic vegetables and fruits

2. Calls For: Bacon

Substitute: Canadian bacon, turkey bacon, smoked turkey or lean prosciutto (Italian ham)

3. Calls For: Bread crumbs, dry

Substitute: Rolled oats or crushed bran cereal

4. Calls For: Butter, margarine, shortening or oil in baked goods

Substitute: Applesauce or prune puree for half of the called-for butter, shortening or oil; butter spreads or shortenings specially formulated for baking that don’t have trans fats

5. Calls For: Flour, all-purpose (plain)

Substitute: Whole-wheat flour for half of the called-for all-purpose flour in baked goods

6. Calls For: Oil-based marinades

Substitute: Wine, balsamic vinegar, fruit juice or fat-free broth

7. Calls For: Salad dressing

Substitute: Fat-free or reduced-calorie dressing or flavored vinegars

8. Calls For: Lettuce, iceberg

Substitute: Arugula, chicory, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach or watercress

9. Calls For: Seasoning salt, such as garlic salt, celery salt or onion salt

Substitute: Herb-only seasonings, such as garlic powder, celery seed or onion flakes, or use finely chopped herbs or garlic, celery or onions

10. Calls For: Table salt

Substitute: Herbs, spices, citrus juices (lemon, lime, orange), rice vinegar, salt-free seasoning mixes or herb blends