5 easy swaps to make classic fall recipes lighter and guilt-free

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The cooler fall season makes eating hot soups and warm pies more appealing. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your meals without feeling guilty or adding several notches to your belt.

1.    Creamy soups

Sipping hot soup makes you feel warm and cozy inside. Unfortunately, it can also make you look heavier on the outside.

According to US News, thick and creamy soups contain heavy cream or roux, both of which are heavy on calories.

Instead of heavy creams or roux, use stock or broth for your soups. Use vegetables such as potatoes, parsnips or butternut squash to thicken them up and make your soup healthier.

Protein and fiber-rich beans, lentils and peas can also be added to make the soup more filling.

2.    Lean sausages

For a lot of people, breakfast or brunch is never complete without some form of protein such as bacon or sausage.

You still can enjoy a few pieces of sausage even at your favorite restaurant, says Huffington Post. The trick is to ask for the leaner meats.

According to the post, a lot of restaurants offer sausages made from poultry such as chicken or turkey. The Food Network says these white meats contain half the amount of calories and a quarter of the amount of fat as in pork sausages.

3.    Apple crisps

Another staple during the fall season is a bowl of sweet and tart apple crisps. Stemilt Growers shares this easy recipe that can be whipped up in five minutes or less.

For a healthier dessert, use maple syrup instead of white sugar to keep it sweet without adding more calories. Adding rolled oats in the mix also helps in making the treat more filling without losing the traditional taste.

4.    Oatmeal

Oatmeal may be considered one of the healthier foods but not all types of oatmeal are created equal.

The Huffington Post recommends avoiding instant or flavored types of oatmeal. Instead, opt for steel cut oats which contain the most fiber.

For flavor, you can add cinnamon while a few chopped nuts can add texture to your meal.

5.    Pie

According to US News, a slice of pie can pack as much as 400 calories with 20 grams of fat. Add a scoop of ice cream and you're taking in another 100 calories.

If you're planning to use canned filling, choose brands with pure puree. Skimp on the butter and just use a bit of sugar with cinnamon, lemon juice or vanilla extract.

Minimize the amount of butter you use on the crust. Instead, make a galette, a type of pastry that uses half the crust.