Healthier Recipe Makeovers

The dishes you love, rebuilt with better numbers — scored before and after,
with every swap verified and the flavor trade-offs told honestly.

Comfort Classics

Healthier Baked Mac and Cheese That's Still Actually Mac and Cheese (34 to 53)

A classic baked mac and cheese scores 34/100. Ours scores 53 - and it still bakes up creamy under a golden crust. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Beef Chili: It Scores Better Than You Think (54 to 64)

A classic beef chili scores 54/100 - closer to healthy than its reputation, thanks to all those beans. Ours scores 64, still beefy, cheesy, and hearty. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Beef Stew: The Comfort Food That Was Already Fine (52 to 75)

A classic beef stew scores 52/100 - one of the best originals we have put through this. Ours scores 75, and the biggest swap was a tablespoon measurement, not an ingredient.

Healthier Beef Stroganoff: Same Creamy Sauce, 27 More Points (48 to 75)

A classic beef stroganoff scores 48/100. Ours scores 75 - same seared beef, same glossy tangy sauce over noodles. The biggest single swap was not the sour cream, and it takes ninety seconds.

Healthier Cheeseburger: Same Melt and Char, 23 More Points (39 to 62)

A classic cheeseburger scores 39/100. Ours scores 62 - and it still chars, melts, and drips like the real thing. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Chicken Enchiladas: Same Cheesy Pan, 30 More Points (34 to 64)

A standard chicken enchilada bake scores 34/100. Ours scores 64 - still a pan you eat with a spoon, still browned cheese on top. Here is every swap, what it is worth, and the one that is worth nine points last and one point first.

Healthier Chicken Fried Steak: 34 More Points, and the Gravy Stays (37 to 71)

A classic chicken fried steak scores 37/100. Ours scores 71 - and the cream gravy is still on it. The swap everyone predicts was worth 4 points; a bowl of shredded cabbage was worth 12.

Healthier Chicken Parmesan: Same Crunch and Melt, 33 More Points (49 to 82)

A classic chicken parmesan scores 49/100. Ours scores 82 - same crunchy cutlet, same melty cheese, with half the sodium and a third less saturated fat. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Chicken Pot Pie: Same Creamy Comfort, 26 More Points (33 to 59)

A classic chicken pot pie scores 33/100. Ours scores 59 - same flaky crust and creamy filling, with half the saturated fat and double the fiber. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Chicken Salad Sandwich: 42 to 75, and the Biggest Swap Added Calories

A classic chicken salad sandwich scores 42/100. Ours scores 75 - still creamy, still bound with real mayonnaise. The biggest swap was not cutting the mayo. It was the one that added 80 calories.

Healthier Chicken and Dumplings: Same Fluffy Dumplings, 28 More Points (32 to 60)

Classic chicken and dumplings scores 32/100. Ours scores 60 - still a thick, creamy stew under dumplings that puff. Here is every swap, what it is worth, and the one worth seven points last and two points first.

Healthier Fettuccine Alfredo: Same Creamy Comfort, 33 More Points (29 to 62)

A classic fettuccine Alfredo scores 29/100. Ours scores 62 - and it is still creamy, still comforting, still Alfredo. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Fried Chicken: Same Crunch, 160 Fewer Calories (38 to 54)

A classic buttermilk fried chicken scores 38/100. Ours scores 54 - about 160 fewer calories a serving and a crust that is honestly crunchier. Here is every swap, including the "healthy" one that barely helped.

Healthier Grilled Cheese: Same Melt, 32 More Points (We Scored It)

A classic grilled cheese scores 26/100. Ours scores 58 - and it still pulls, melts, and crunches like the real thing. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Ground Beef Tacos: Same Taco Night, 33 to 81 (We Scored Every Swap)

A classic weeknight ground beef taco scores 33/100. Ours scores 81 - same beef, same melt, same fifteen-minute spirit. Here is every swap and exactly what it is worth.

Healthier Lasagna: Same Meaty, Cheesy Comfort, 30 More Points (42 to 72)

A classic meat lasagna scores 42/100. Ours scores 72 - and it is still meaty, cheesy, and layered like the real thing. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Meatloaf: Same Comfort, 34 More Points (35 to 69)

A classic meatloaf scores 35/100. Ours scores 69 - same glaze, same comfort, same sandwich the next day. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Pepperoni Pizza: Same Melt and Crisp, 27 More Points (31 to 58)

A classic pepperoni pizza scores 31/100. Ours scores 58 - and it still pulls, crisps, and tastes like pepperoni in every bite. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Philly Cheesesteak: 36 to 63, and the Cheese Was Not the Problem

A classic Philly cheesesteak scores 36/100. Ours scores 63 - and it is still a cheesesteak, still griddled, still covered in melted cheese. Here is every swap and what it is actually worth.

Healthier Pulled Pork Sandwiches: 37 to 72, and the Same Swap Was Worth 1 Point and 14

A backyard pulled pork sandwich scores 37/100, and almost none of its 32 g of added sugar tastes like sugar. Ours scores 72 with the shoulder still fatty. Here is every swap - including two that were worth 1 point when we made them first and 14 when we made them last.

Healthier Shepherd's Pie: Same Comfort, 34 More Points (47 to 81)

A classic shepherd's pie scores 47/100. Ours scores 81 - same savory filling, same golden potato crust, with a fifth of the saturated fat. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Sloppy Joes: Same Messy, Saucy Sandwich, 34 More Points (45 to 79)

A classic sloppy joe scores 45/100. Ours scores 79 - and it is still messy, saucy, and piled on a bun like the real thing. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Spaghetti and Meatballs: Same Comfort, 29 More Points (51 to 80)

A classic spaghetti and meatballs scores 51/100 - better than its reputation. Ours scores 80, with half the saturated fat and sodium and far more plants. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Tater Tot Casserole: 35 to 61, and the Tots Were Never the Problem

A classic tater tot casserole scores 35/100. Ours scores 61 - with the same golden tot lid on top. We cut the tots twice to check, and both times the score did not move a single point.

Healthier Tuna Noodle Casserole: Same Creamy Comfort, 26 More Points (60 to 86)

A classic tuna noodle casserole scores 60/100 - and the reason it is not lower is the tuna. Ours scores 86, still creamy, cheesy, and crunchy on top. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Takeout & Copycats

Healthier Beef and Broccoli: Same Savory Sauce, 19 Points Better (49 to 68)

Takeout beef and broccoli scores 49/100 - and the problem is not the beef, it is the sodium. Ours scores 68, with half the salt, double the plants, and the same savory sauce. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Broccoli Cheddar Soup: 41 to 60, and the Bread Bowl Was Not the Villain

A Panera-style broccoli cheddar soup scores 41/100 - one bowl carries 111% of a day's saturated fat. Ours scores 60 and still tastes of cheddar. Here is every swap, plus the bread bowl test that came out nothing like we expected.

Healthier Butter Chicken: Same Creamy Makhani, 32 More Points (35 to 67)

A classic butter chicken scores 35/100 - the cream and the salt, not the spices, are what drag it down. Ours scores 67, and it still tastes like the restaurant. Here is every verified swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Chick-fil-A Sandwich: Same Crispy Filet, 25 More Points (41 to 66)

A faithful copycat Chick-fil-A sandwich scores 41/100 - and the problem is not the crispy chicken, it is the salt, the missing plants, and the refined bun. Ours scores 66, still crunchy, still pickle-brined, still on a buttered bun. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Chicken Gyro (39 to 81): The Fries Made the Original Score Higher

A takeout chicken gyro scores 39/100. Ours scores 81. Holding the salt was worth exactly zero points, tucking the fries inside made the original score higher, and a couple of handfuls of shredded lettuce were worth as much as roasting your own chicken.

Healthier Chicken Teriyaki Bowl: Same Glaze, 47 More Points (45 to 92)

A takeout-style chicken teriyaki bowl scores 45/100 - and the problem is the bottle, not the chicken. Ours scores 92, with a third of the sodium and the same glossy glaze. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Chipotle Burrito Bowl: We Scored Every Build Choice (51 to 70)

The standard Chipotle chicken bowl scores 51/100. We changed one thing at a time and scored fourteen versions - skipping the rice is worth 3 points, skipping the beans costs 11. Here is the exact order that hits 70.

Healthier Crunchwrap Supreme: Same Crunch, 20 Points Higher (41 to 61)

A homemade Crunchwrap Supreme scores 41/100 - and the problem is not the crunch, it is the fatty, salty bottom layer. Ours scores 61, still folded, cheesy, and crunchy. Here is every swap and what it is worth, including the one that cost us points on purpose.

Healthier Fish and Chips: 53 to 86, and the Fryer Stays On

Fish and chips scores 53/100 - the highest any dish has started in this series. Ours scores 86, and the fish never left the fryer. The swap everyone predicts made it six points worse.

Healthier Fried Rice: Same Wok-Fried Comfort, 43 to 86 (We Scored Every Swap)

Takeout-style fried rice scores 43/100 - and the problem is not the oil, it is the sodium and the empty white-rice base. Ours scores 86, still toasty, savory, and wok-fried. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier General Tso's Chicken: Same Glossy Glaze, 30 to 66 (We Scored Every Swap)

Takeout General Tso's chicken scores 30/100 - and the deep frying everyone blames is not even its biggest problem. Ours scores 66, still glossy, sweet-savory, and crisp. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Instant Ramen: We Took a Packet From 25 to 61 (Same 5 Minutes)

A packet of instant ramen scores 25/100 - tied for the lowest in this series. Ours scores 61, and it still takes five minutes. Here is every swap and what it is worth, including the one nobody makes.

Healthier Lo Mein: We Kept the Noodles and Still Went From 50 to 92

A takeout-style lo mein scores 50/100. Ours scores 92 - with all twelve ounces of noodles still in it. Here is every swap, what it was worth, and the two "healthy" swaps that made the score go down.

Healthier Orange Chicken: Same Sticky Glaze, 36 More Points (31 to 67)

Takeout orange chicken scores 31/100 - and the reason is not the frying everyone blames. Ours scores 67, still crispy and glazed. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Sweet and Sour Chicken: 35 to 73, and Air-Frying It Was Worth Nothing

Takeout sweet and sour chicken scores 35/100. Ours scores 73 with the crunch and the sticky red sauce intact. Here is every swap - including air-frying it, which everyone recommends and which was worth exactly zero points until the sugar came out.

Viral & Trending

Healthier Birria Tacos: We Kept the Cheese Pull and Gained 19 Points (43 to 62)

Viral quesabirria scores 43/100 - genuinely better than it looks, because the chile adobo does real work. It has exactly two problems. Ours scores 62 with the cheese pull, the red crisp shell, and the chile depth all intact. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Cottage Cheese Flatbread: The Viral Recipe Scores 39, Ours Scores 89

The viral cottage cheese flatbread scores 39/100 - lower than a plain flour tortilla. It is a superb protein source that the internet mistook for a complete food. Here is every swap that takes it to 89, including the one worth 7 points alone and 17 in the right order.

Healthier Cowboy Butter Steak Bites: Same Dipping Ritual, 38 More Points (31 to 69)

The viral cowboy butter steak bites score 31/100 - nearly two sticks of butter, a half-pound of ribeye each, and 1.2 g of fiber. Ours score 69, and the biggest fix was putting more in the pan, not less. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Crack Chicken: 33 to 64, and the Vegetables Were Worth 15 Points

Crockpot crack chicken scores 33/100. Ours scores 64 and it still has bacon on top. The vegetables were worth 15 points; cutting the bacon first was worth 1.

Healthier Cucumber Salad: The Viral One Scores 50, Ours Scores 90

The viral soy-sesame cucumber salad scores 50/100. The creamy one scores 44, the smashed one 53. Ours scores 90 - and the swap that did the most work was worth 7 points on its own and 26 in the right order.

Healthier Dubai Chocolate Bar: 24 to 36, and Exactly Where the Ceiling Is

The viral Dubai chocolate bar scores 24/100 - one piece carries a woman's entire daily added sugar limit. We got it to 36 with real pistachios and dark chocolate, then found the hard ceiling at 41. Here is every point, and why we stopped.

Healthier Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers: Same Garlic Butter, 43 More Points (29 to 72)

The viral garlic parmesan chicken skewers score 29/100 - a stick of butter, salt added twice, and 1 g of fiber. Ours score 72, and the biggest single fix was not cutting anything. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Green Goddess Salad: The Viral One Scores 70, Ours Scores 95

The viral green goddess salad scores 70/100 - genuinely good, and rare for this series. But half a teaspoon of salt turned out to be worth 20 points on its own, more than tripling the protein was worth. Ours scores 95.

Healthier Grinder Salad Sandwich: Same Crunch, 28 More Points (37 to 65)

The viral grinder salad sandwich scores 37/100 - a 1,153-calorie sub with two very-high flags. Ours scores 65, still crunchy, garlicky and flecked with pepperoncini. Here is every swap and what it is worth, including the highest score we found and turned down.

Healthier Hot Honey Chicken: 30 to 63, and Ditching the Breading Made It Worse

Viral hot honey chicken scores 30/100. Ours scores 63, and it is still crunchy, still sweet-hot, still the dish. The biggest swap in the whole makeover had nothing to do with the chicken.

Healthier Marry Me Chicken: Same Creamy Pan Sauce, 42 More Points (39 to 81)

Marry Me Chicken scores 39/100 - a beloved pan sauce carrying more saturated fat in one serving than a whole day allows. Ours scores 81, and it still sears, still glosses, still tastes like the dish. Here is every swap and exactly what it is worth.

Healthier Million Dollar Spaghetti: 40 to 75, and Why the Cheese Swap Only Works Last

The viral million dollar spaghetti scores 40/100. Ours scores 75 - same creamy middle, same cheesy top, 233 fewer calories. And the swap everyone recommends first turned out to be worth exactly one point, until we made it last.

Healthier Sheet Pan Quesadilla: 34 to 58, and the Last 3 Points of Cheese Are the Ones to Refuse

The viral sheet pan quesadilla scores 34/100, and a pound of cheese will do that. Ours scores 58 - same tray, same fold, same pull. Here is every swap, including the one that raised the saturated fat and improved the score anyway.

Healthier Smash Burger Tacos: Same Crispy Edges, 22 More Points (34 to 56)

The viral smash burger taco scores 34/100 - a 995-calorie mashup with two very-high flags. Ours scores 56, still crispy-edged, still melted, still folded. Here is every swap and exactly what it is worth.

We Scored the Viral Baked Feta Pasta - Then Made It 34 Points Healthier (54 to 88)

The viral TikTok baked feta pasta scores 54/100 - a real-ingredient dish with a proportion problem, too much feta and salt and too few plants. Ours scores 88, still creamy, still roasted, still built on burst tomatoes and briny feta. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

We Scored the Viral French Onion Pasta - Then Found the 15 Points Nobody Looks For

The viral one-pot French onion pasta scores 36/100. Ours scores 71 - same jammy onions, same Gruyere pull. Halving the cheese was worth zero points. Swapping the cream was worth zero points. The carton of broth nobody thinks about was worth fifteen.

We Scored the Viral Salmon Rice Bowl (Emily Mariko) - Then Made It 42 Points Healthier

The viral salmon rice bowl scores 51/100 - and the problem is not the salmon, which is world-class. It is the one plant, the 1.2 g of fiber, and the tablespoon of soy sauce. Ours scores 93, ice cube trick and Kewpie mayo intact. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Breakfast & Baked Goods

Healthier Apple Pie (19 to 64): The One Swap Worth as Much as the First Five

A classic double-crust apple pie scores 19/100. Ours scores 64 - and it is still a pie, crust and all. Here is every swap, the one that was worth 21 points on its own, and the "healthy" move that made the score worse.

Healthier Bagel and Cream Cheese: The Deli Version Scores 28, Ours Scores 69

A deli bagel and schmear scores 28/100. Ours scores 69 - still a whole bagel, still a thick schmear. Two ounces of cream cheese turn out to be 96% of the saturated fat, and the swap everyone recommends first is the wrong one.

Healthier Baked Oats: We Scored the Viral Version at 39, Ours Scores 74 (Same Calories)

The viral blended baked oats scores 39/100. Ours scores 74 - on four calories less. The batter was never the problem, and the swap everyone recommends first turned out to be worth almost nothing until we fixed something else.

Healthier Banana Bread: Same Loaf, 44 More Points (23 to 67)

Banana bread has the best reputation in baking - fruit in the name, breakfast on the table, nobody calls it cake. A standard loaf scores 23/100, with 16.7 g of added sugar in one slice. Ours scores 67 with no caution flags at all, and it is still four bananas, real butter, and a 9x5 pan.

Healthier Belgian Waffles: Same Crisp Pockets, 26 More Points (23 to 49)

A classic Belgian waffle breakfast scores 23/100 - and it gets flagged twice, for sugar and saturated fat at once. Ours scores 49 and still shatters when you cut it. Here is every swap, including the one the score liked that we threw out anyway.

Healthier Biscuits and Sausage Gravy: Same Southern Breakfast, 25 More Points (28 to 53)

Classic biscuits and sausage gravy scores 28/100. Ours scores 53 - and it is still a peppery pork gravy over a hot split biscuit. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Blueberry Muffins: We Scored One Against a Cupcake (23 to 72)

A bakery-style blueberry muffin scores 23/100. We scored a frosted vanilla cupcake too, just to check: 14, on the same calories. Ours scores 72 - and the swap everyone recommends first made the score worse.

Healthier Breakfast Burrito: Same Handheld Comfort, 34 More Points (38 to 72)

A diner breakfast burrito scores 38/100 - about 1,096 calories with 118% of a day's saturated fat and just 3.7 g of fiber. Ours scores 72, with five times the fiber, and it is still eggs, sausage and cheese in a tortilla. Here is every swap and what it is worth.

Healthier Breakfast Sandwich: The Egg McMuffin Scores 39, Ours Scores 74

The classic egg, cheese and Canadian bacon breakfast sandwich scores 39/100 - 810 mg of sodium, 2 g of fiber and not one plant. Ours scores 74, and it is still an English muffin with an egg on it. Here is every swap and what it is worth, including the one that was worth nothing until we made it last.

Healthier Buttermilk Pancakes That Are Still Actually Fluffy (23 to 50)

A classic buttermilk pancake breakfast scores 23/100 - and the syrup, not the batter, is why. Seven swaps took it to 50, and they still come off the griddle fluffy. Here is every one and what it is worth.

Healthier Carrot Cake: 18 to 44, and More Carrot Was Worth One Point

A classic carrot cake scores 18/100 - the lowest opening score we have recorded, with 73 g of added sugar in one square. Ours scores 44. And the swap everyone assumes matters most, more carrot, was worth exactly one point.

Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies: Still a Cookie, 19 Points Better (18 to 37)

A classic Toll House cookie scores 18/100 - the lowest number we have put through this series. Ours scores 37, with double the fiber and half the added sugar, and it still spreads, chews, and pools with melted chocolate. Here is every swap and what it is really worth.

Healthier Cinnamon Rolls: Same Gooey Swirl, 22 More Points (20 to 42)

A classic cinnamon roll scores 20/100 - one roll carries 128% of a day's added sugar. Ours scores 42, with triple the fiber and the same soft, gooey swirl. Here is every swap, and the honest reason we stopped where we did.

Healthier French Toast: Same Custardy Middle, Double the Score (25 to 50)

Classic French toast scores 25/100 - and the syrup, not the custard, is why. Six swaps doubled it to 50, and it still soaks, browns, and has that custardy middle. Here is every one and what it is worth.

Healthier Fudgy Brownies: Same Fudge, 13 Points Better (23 to 36)

A classic fudgy brownie scores 23/100 - nearly a full day of added sugar in one square. Ours scores 36, with double the fiber and a third less sugar, and it still has the shiny crackly top and gooey center. Here is every swap, plus the avocado version that shocked us at 43.

Healthier Granola: The Breakfast Everyone Thinks Is Healthy Scores 45 (Ours Scores 77)

Homemade granola scores 45/100 - and drops to 43 at the 95 g portion people actually pour. Ours scores 77 and holds there. Olive oil made it worse, coconut oil made it worse still, and the change worth 17 points was not a swap at all.

Healthier Instant Oatmeal: The Packet Scores 43, Ours Scores 90

A flavored instant oatmeal packet scores 43/100 - and eating two of them scores worse than one. Ours scores 90. The oats were never the problem, the instant format was worth exactly zero points, and one swap was worth 29.

Healthier New York Cheesecake: 16 to 43, and Going Crustless Made It Worse

A classic New York cheesecake scores 16/100 - the lowest number this series has recorded. Ours scores 43 and is still dense, tangy and sliceable. Here is the receipt for all 27 points, including the two changes everyone recommends that made the score go down.

Healthier Smoothie Bowl: 52 to 93, and Cutting the Granola Made It Worse

A standard smoothie bowl scores 52/100 - 808 calories and 34 g of added sugar in the breakfast people make to be good to themselves. Ours scores 93, and the swap everyone recommends first made it worse.

Sides, Snacks & Party Food

Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip: 27 to 71, and Putting the Chips Back Was Worth 12 Points

A party-size buffalo chicken dip scores 27/100. Ours scores 71 - still orange, still hot, still under a lid of real cheddar. Deleting the cream cheese was worth 3 points, a blended can of white beans was worth 11, and putting the tortilla chips back was worth 12.

Healthier Buffalo Wings: 35 to 57, and the Celery Was the Biggest Swap

Classic Buffalo wings score 35/100. Ours score 57 - same crisp skin, same heat, real blue cheese in the dip. The celery turned out to be worth more than any other swap, and skipping the deep fryer cost us a point.

Healthier Caesar Salad: 45 to 91, and the Croutons Were Never the Problem

A classic Caesar salad scores 45/100, and its dressing alone accounts for 72% of the calories. Ours scores 91 - with the anchovies, the Parmesan, and the croutons all still in it.

Healthier Coleslaw: 36 to 74, and the Cabbage Was Never the Problem

A deli creamy coleslaw scores 36/100, and the cabbage was never the problem. Ours scores 74 with the mayonnaise still in it. Here is every swap, the one that scored zero and stayed anyway, and the version that scored 85 that we turned down on purpose.

Healthier Deviled Eggs: 35 to 70, and the Yolks Stay In

A classic deviled egg scores 35/100. Ours scores 70 - and all six yolks are still in it. We tested four fillings head-to-head, and the internet's favorite trick (ditch half the yolks) turned out to be worth two points.

Healthier French Fries: 55 to 93, and the Salt Mattered More Than the Fryer

Homemade deep-fried fries score 55/100. Ours score 93, and they still shatter when you bite them. Turning off the fryer was worth 7 points - the salt was worth 20, and the ketchup was worth 12.

Healthier Garlic Bread: 28 to 71, and the Loaf Mattered as Much as the Butter

Classic garlic bread scores 28/100. Ours scores 71 - still split, still crackling, still garlic in every bite. The stick of butter was only half the problem, changing the type of fat beat cutting the amount three to one, and we priced the butter down to the tablespoon so you can decide for yourself.

Healthier Green Bean Casserole: 53 to 94, and the Can of Soup Cost 22 Points

The classic green bean casserole scores 53/100 - higher than its reputation suggests. Ours scores 94, with a quarter of the sodium and real crunch on top. Here is every swap, and the three numbers that tell the whole sodium story of this dish.

Healthier Loaded Nachos: Same Melty Platter, 33 to 81 (We Scored Every Swap)

A game-day nacho platter scores 33/100. Ours scores 81 - triple the fiber, half the saturated fat, same molten cheddar. And the swap everyone recommends first turned out to make it worse.

Healthier Mashed Potatoes and Gravy: Same Creamy Scoop, 32 to 61 (We Scored Every Swap)

A holiday mash and gravy scores 32/100. Ours scores 61 - and the butter is still in it. We were sure the packet gravy was the problem. It was worth two points.

Healthier Mozzarella Sticks: 36 to 60, and the Dip Was the Biggest Swap

Deep-fried mozzarella sticks score 36/100. Ours score 60 - still gooey, still whole milk cheese. Turning off the fryer was worth 1 point. The dip was worth 6.

Healthier Pasta Salad: 32 to 72, and the Vegetables Were Worth Only 3 Points

A deli-style creamy pasta salad scores 32/100 - the lowest opening number in this series. Ours scores 72, and it still has cheddar and salami in it. Here is every swap, including the vegetables that were worth only three points and stayed anyway, and the version that scored higher than ours that we turned down.

Healthier Potato Salad: We Kept the Mayonnaise and Still Gained 30 Points

A classic creamy potato salad scores 46/100. Ours scores 76 - and the mayonnaise is still in it. Here is every swap, including the one worth zero points that we kept anyway, and the two versions that scored higher than ours that we turned down on purpose.

Healthier Seven-Layer Dip: Same Seven Layers, 46 to 76 (We Scored Every Swap)

A classic seven-layer dip scores 46/100. Ours scores 76 - half the saturated fat, more fiber, still seven layers. The lard everyone blames turned out to be a rounding error, and taking the chips away made the score worse.

Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole: 34 to 73, and the Marshmallows Cost 28 Points

A classic sweet potato casserole scores 34/100 - one scoop of a side dish is a full day of added sugar. Ours scores 73 and still has a crunchy sweet topping. Here is every swap, and the reason the sugar cut was worth 4 points alone and 12 in sequence.

Healthier Thanksgiving Stuffing: 32 to 77, and the Last 2 Tablespoons of Butter Were Free

A classic bread stuffing scores 32/100. Ours scores 77 with real butter still in the pan. Here is every swap - including the discovery that buying low-sodium broth and then salting the pan anyway is worth precisely nothing.

Healthier Trail Mix: 49 to 74, and the Dark Chocolate Was Not the Reason

A supermarket chocolate-and-nut trail mix scores 49/100. Ours scores 74 and the chocolate is still in it. Here is every swap, including the one worth minus one point on its own and 22 alongside its partner, and the discovery that switching to dark chocolate bought us nothing at all.

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