Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-5-diet-modifications [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [Food Preparation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa.md) › Diet Modifications # Diet Modifications Food Preparation & Nutrition: AQA GCSE, topic 2.3.5 ## Adjusting Recipes To make sure the meals you eat are healthy and nutritionally balanced, you should consider the Eatwell Guide when making dishes and following recipes. You can swap ingredients and adjust your cooking techniques to make meals healthier. Here's an example: ### Chocolate raspberry brownie recipe ![Chocolate raspberry brownie recipe](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/0392a4e8-5f0f-420e-b33e-4b96c777c3db/shutterstock_648142261.jpg) - Here are the ingredients for making chocolate raspberry brownies (BBC good food recipe): - 200g dark chocolate, broken into chunks. - 100g milk chocolate, broken into chunks. - 250g pack salted butter. - 400g soft light brown sugar. - 4 large eggs. - 140g plain flour. - 50g cocoa powder. - 200g raspberry. ### Adjustments ![Adjustments](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/e126a65e-6bea-48bd-904d-88847945ab4e/shutterstock_557267224.jpg) - You could swap white flour for wholemeal flour (more fibre) or almond flour (high in protein, good fats and fibre). - There's lots of sugar in the brownies. You could use a natural sweetener, like stevia, in place of some of the sugar. - Adding something flavoursome like hazelnuts will give extra nutrients (unsaturated fats, magnesium, calcium and vitamins B and E). ## Recommended Diet Adjustments Here are a few general tips on how to improve your diet: ### Cutting down on sugar ![Cutting down on sugar](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/867e4c59-5d8a-4301-b9d0-476d4f7cdb46/shutterstock_207791497.jpg) - Lots of everyday condiments (e.g. sweet chilli sauce) are full of sugar. Cut down on these condiments. - When baking, use less sugar than recipes recommend. - Remember that nutritional labels may not explicitly refer to 'sugar' - look out for things like sucrose and corn sugar. ### Cutting down on saturated fats ![Cutting down on saturated fats](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/bd4e66e9-f489-4ff8-821a-40622b0dd530/shutterstock_153770138.jpg) - Instead of frying or roasting foods, grill, steam or bake them. - Drain away fat. - Use vegetable oils and low-fat spreads where possible. ### Eating more fibre ![Eating more fibre](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/ee5d2b1d-d16f-4e1e-a300-99b6835c416b/shutterstock_522209995%20(1).jpg) - Potato skins are good. Don't peel the skin off of your potatoes. - Eat lots of pulses, like chickpeas, and vegetables. - Choose wholemeal options, such as wholemeal bread, brown rice and wholegrain cereal. ### Cutting down on salt ![Cutting down on salt](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/06cb62d2-2e4c-49e1-b1ca-1682a4865045/shutterstock_377733145.jpg) - Instead of using salt for flavouring, opt for other seasonings. - Make stocks and sauces from scratch instead of using shop bought ones (that often contain lots of salt). - Eat less of foods that have added salts and preservatives (e.g. smoked salmon). ## Test yourself on Diet Modifications - Which of the following is a natural sweetener that can be used in place of sugar in a brownie recipe to make the product healthier? - Swapping white flour for wholemeal flour in a brownie recipe will increase the content of what? - Which of the following would improve your diet? - Which of these cooking methods is healthier? - Which of these cooking methods is least healthy? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/d59d0e60-4fa8-11e8-bbba-738ab127bed6/section/7116453f-bf54-444c-96e1-ecb385c92638/session) - Previous topic: [2.3.4 Nutritional Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-4-nutritional-analysis.md) - Next topic: [2.3.6 Diet-Related Problems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-6-diet-related-problems.md) ## Food Preparation & Nutrition: AQA GCSE contents ### 1 Food Preparation Skills - 1.1 Food Preparation Skills - [1.1.1 General Practical Skills](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-1-general-practical-skills.md) - [1.1.2 Knife Skills](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-2-knife-skills.md) - [1.1.3 Preparing Fruit, Vegetables & Using Equipment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-3-preparing-fruit-vegetables-and-using-equipment.md) - [1.1.4 Cooking Methods: Prepare, Shape & Combine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-4-cooking-methods-prepare-shape-and-combine.md) - [1.1.5 Sauce Making, Tenderising & Marinating](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-5-sauce-making-tenderising-and-marinating.md) - [1.1.6 Dough & Pastry](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-6-dough-and-pastry.md) - [1.1.7 Shaping & Finishing Dough](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-7-shaping-and-finishing-dough.md) - [1.1.8 Raising Agents & Mixtures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-8-raising-agents-and-mixtures.md) - [1.1.9 End of Topic Test - Food Preparation Skills 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-9-end-of-topic-test-food-preparation-skills-1.md) ### 2 Food, Nutrition & Health - 2.1 Macronutrients - [2.1.1 Proteins](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-1-1-proteins.md) - [2.1.2 Proteins 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-1-2-proteins-2.md) - [2.1.3 Fats](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-1-3-fats.md) - [2.1.4 Carbohydrates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-1-4-carbohydrates.md) - [2.1.5 Carbohydrates 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-1-5-carbohydrates-2.md) - 2.2 Micronutrients - [2.2.1 Fat-Soluble Vitamins](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-2-1-fat-soluble-vitamins.md) - [2.2.2 Water-Soluble Vitamins](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-2-2-water-soluble-vitamins.md) - [2.2.3 Minerals & Water](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-2-3-minerals-and-water.md) - [2.2.4 Minerals & Water 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-2-4-minerals-and-water-2.md) - [2.2.5 End of Topic Test - Macro & Micronutrients](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-2-5-end-of-topic-test-macro-and-micronutrients.md) - 2.3 Nutritional Needs & Health - [2.3.1 Informed Choices for a Balanced Diet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-1-informed-choices-for-a-balanced-diet.md) - [2.3.2 Informed Choices for a Balanced Diet 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-2-informed-choices-for-a-balanced-diet-2.md) - [2.3.3 Energy Needs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-3-energy-needs.md) - [2.3.4 Nutritional Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-4-nutritional-analysis.md) - [2.3.5 Diet Modifications](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-5-diet-modifications.md) - [2.3.6 Diet-Related Problems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-6-diet-related-problems.md) - [2.3.7 Diet-Related Problems 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-7-diet-related-problems-2.md) - [2.3.8 End of Topic Test - Nutritional Needs & Health](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-8-end-of-topic-test-nutritional-needs-and-health.md) ### 3 Food Science - 3.1 Cooking of Food & Heat Transfer - [3.1.1 Reasons for Cooking & Heat Transfer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-1-1-reasons-for-cooking-and-heat-transfer.md) - [3.1.2 Water-Based Cooking Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-1-2-water-based-cooking-methods.md) - [3.1.3 Fat-Based Cooking Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-1-3-fat-based-cooking-methods.md) - [3.1.4 Dry Cooking Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-1-4-dry-cooking-methods.md) - [3.1.5 Dry Cooking Methods 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-1-5-dry-cooking-methods-2.md) - 3.2 Functional & Chemical Properties of Food - [3.2.1 Proteins & Carbohydrates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-2-1-proteins-and-carbohydrates.md) - [3.2.2 Fats & Oils](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-2-2-fats-and-oils.md) - [3.2.3 Raising Agents](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-2-3-raising-agents.md) - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Food Science](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-food-science.md) ### 4 Food Safety - 4.1 Food Spoilage & Contamination - [4.1.1 Microorganisms & Signs of Food Spoilage](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-1-microorganisms-and-signs-of-food-spoilage.md) - [4.1.2 Enzymes & Signs of Food Spoilage](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-2-enzymes-and-signs-of-food-spoilage.md) - [4.1.3 Food Poisoning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-3-food-poisoning.md) - [4.1.4 Bacterial Contamination](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-4-bacterial-contamination.md) - [4.1.5 Microorganisms in Food Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-5-microorganisms-in-food-production.md) - 4.2 Principles of Food Safety - [4.2.1 Temperature Control](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-2-1-temperature-control.md) - [4.2.2 Ambient Foods & Food Labels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-2-2-ambient-foods-and-food-labels.md) - [4.2.3 Preparing, Cooking & Serving Food](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-2-3-preparing-cooking-and-serving-food.md) - [4.2.4 End of Topic Test - Food Safety](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-2-4-end-of-topic-test-food-safety.md) ### 5 Food Choice - 5.1 Factors Affecting Food Choice - [5.1.1 Factors Which Influence Food Choice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-1-factors-which-influence-food-choice.md) - [5.1.2 Food Choices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-2-food-choices.md) - [5.1.3 Religious Food Choices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-3-religious-food-choices.md) - [5.1.4 Food Labels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-4-food-labels.md) - [5.1.5 Mandatory Food Labels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-5-mandatory-food-labels.md) - [5.1.6 Optional Food Labels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-6-optional-food-labels.md) - [5.1.7 Marketing Influences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-7-marketing-influences.md) - [5.1.8 End of Topic Test - Food Choice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-8-end-of-topic-test-food-choice.md) - 5.2 British & International Cuisines - [5.2.1 British Cuisine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-2-1-british-cuisine.md) - [5.2.2 Japanese Cuisine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-2-2-japanese-cuisine.md) - [5.2.3 Japanese Ingredients & Dishes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-2-3-japanese-ingredients-and-dishes.md) - [5.2.4 Spanish Cuisine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-2-4-spanish-cuisine.md) - [5.2.5 Spanish Ingredients & Dishes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-2-5-spanish-ingredients-and-dishes.md) - 5.3 Sensory Evaluation - [5.3.1 Taste Receptors & Olfactory Systems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-3-1-taste-receptors-and-olfactory-systems.md) - [5.3.2 Sensory Testing Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-3-2-sensory-testing-methods.md) - [5.3.3 Sensory Testing Methods 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-3-3-sensory-testing-methods-2.md) - [5.3.4 End of Topic Test - Cuisines & Senses](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-3-4-end-of-topic-test-cuisines-and-senses.md) ### 6 Food Provenance - 6.1 Environmental Impact & Sustainability of Food - [6.1.1 Food Sources - Intensive & Organic Farming](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-1-food-sources-intensive-and-organic-farming.md) - [6.1.2 Food Sources - Genetically Modified Crops](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-2-food-sources-genetically-modified-crops.md) - [6.1.3 Food Sources - Reared Food](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-3-food-sources-reared-food.md) - [6.1.4 Food Sources - Caught Food](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-4-food-sources-caught-food.md) - [6.1.5 Food & The Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-5-food-and-the-environment.md) - [6.1.6 Food & The Environment 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-6-food-and-the-environment-2.md) - [6.1.7 Sustainability of Food](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-7-sustainability-of-food.md) - [6.1.8 Sustainability of Food 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-8-sustainability-of-food-2.md) - [6.1.9 End of Topic Test - Environmental Impacts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-9-end-of-topic-test-environmental-impacts.md) - 6.2 Food Processing & Production - [6.2.1 Primary Food Processing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-1-primary-food-processing.md) - [6.2.2 Primary Food Processing 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-2-primary-food-processing-2.md) - [6.2.3 Secondary Food Processing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-3-secondary-food-processing.md) - [6.2.4 Fortification](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-4-fortification.md) - [6.2.5 Additives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-5-additives.md) - [6.2.6 End of Topic Test - Food Processing & Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-6-end-of-topic-test-food-processing-and-production.md)