If you can't find it
Ingredient swaps
Quark, skyr, kohlrabi, psyllium, venison — not every shop stocks them. Each swap shows the approximate change in fibre, protein, net carbs and kcal compared with the original ingredient, on the same weight basis.
18 of 18 ingredients · green = better for the F&P goal, terracotta = worse
Quark
Fresh German curd cheese — high protein, low fat, mild tang.
Dairy
Quark
Fresh German curd cheese — high protein, low fat, mild tang.
Macro change vs original · per 100 g
- Skyr (plain, 0%)1:1
Closest match in texture and tang.
Fibre±0gProtein+1gNet carbs±0gkcal+1 - Greek yoghurt (0%, strained)1:1
Strain 30 min through muslin if loose.
Fibre±0gProtein−2gNet carbs±0gkcal−6 - Cottage cheese, blended smooth1:1
Blend with 1 tbsp lemon for tang.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs−1gkcal+4 - Ricotta (part-skim)1:1 (sweet dishes only)
Milder, richer; not ideal in dressings.
Fibre±0gProtein−3gNet carbs±0gkcal+60
Skyr
Icelandic strained cultured milk — very high protein, almost no fat.
Dairy
Skyr
Icelandic strained cultured milk — very high protein, almost no fat.
Macro change vs original · per 100 g
- 0% Greek yoghurt, strained 30 min1:1
Easiest UK substitute. Stir before using.
Fibre±0gProtein−3gNet carbs±0gkcal−7 - Quark1:1
Slightly looser; nearly identical macros.
Fibre±0gProtein−1gNet carbs±0gkcal−1 - Cottage cheese blended1:1
Add splash of milk to loosen.
Fibre±0gProtein−1gNet carbs−1gkcal+3
Kefir
Fermented milk drink — probiotic, pourable, gently sour.
Dairy
Kefir
Fermented milk drink — probiotic, pourable, gently sour.
Macro change vs original · per 250 ml
- Buttermilk1:1
Same tang and pour; no live cultures.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs+1gkcal+5 - Plain yoghurt + milk (½ + ½)1:1 by total volume
Whisk until pourable.
Fibre±0gProtein+1gNet carbs+1gkcal+10 - Probiotic drinking yoghurt1:1
Pick unsweetened — sweetened lifts net carbs sharply.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs+2gkcal+15
Psyllium husk
Soluble fibre that gels — binds low-carb bakes and noodles.
Pantry
Psyllium husk
Soluble fibre that gels — binds low-carb bakes and noodles.
Macro change vs original · per 1 tbsp (~7 g)
- Ground chia seeds1:1
Hydrate 5 min before mixing in.
Fibre−2gProtein+1gNet carbs±0gkcal+30 - Ground flaxseed (linseed)1.5:1
Lighter gel; good in pancakes and crackers.
Fibre−1gProtein+2gNet carbs±0gkcal+40 - Xanthan gum¼ tsp per 1 tbsp psyllium
Binds but adds no fibre — top up elsewhere.
Fibre−6gProtein±0gNet carbs±0gkcal−15
Hemp seeds (hearts)
Nutty seed adding protein and fibre to bowls and pesto.
Pantry
Hemp seeds (hearts)
Nutty seed adding protein and fibre to bowls and pesto.
Macro change vs original · per 2 tbsp (~20 g)
- Pumpkin seeds, chopped1:1
Toast lightly for similar nuttiness.
Fibre±0gProtein−1gNet carbs+1gkcal+5 - Sunflower seeds1:1
Milder; works in pesto.
Fibre±0gProtein−3gNet carbs+1gkcal+5 - Ground almonds + chia (½ + ½)1:1
Keeps protein-to-fat ratio sensible.
Fibre+1gProtein−2gNet carbs±0gkcal+10
Chia seeds
Gel-forming seed for puddings and binders.
Pantry
Chia seeds
Gel-forming seed for puddings and binders.
Macro change vs original · per 1 tbsp (~12 g)
- Ground flaxseed1:1
Forms a similar gel within 10 min.
Fibre−1gProtein±0gNet carbs±0gkcal+5 - Basil (sabja) seeds1:1
Available in Asian grocers.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs±0gkcal−5 - Psyllium huskUse ½ amount
Much stronger gel — reduce or it turns rubbery.
Fibre+1gProtein−2gNet carbs±0gkcal−45
Cauliflower rice
Low-carb base for bowls and pilafs.
Produce
Cauliflower rice
Low-carb base for bowls and pilafs.
Macro change vs original · per 150 g
- Broccoli rice1:1
Same method; brighter flavour.
Fibre+1gProtein+1gNet carbs±0gkcal+5 - Grated celeriac, sautéed1:1
Sweeter, slightly higher carbs.
Fibre−1gProtein−1gNet carbs+4gkcal+15 - Grated courgette, squeezed dry1:1
Best in warm dishes; wetter raw.
Fibre−1gProtein−1gNet carbs±0gkcal−10
Kohlrabi
Mild Central European brassica, crisp like apple.
Produce
Kohlrabi
Mild Central European brassica, crisp like apple.
Macro change vs original · per 100 g
- Broccoli stems, peeled1:1
Identical texture once peeled.
Fibre+1gProtein+1gNet carbs−1gkcal±0 - Daikon / white radish1:1
Sharper; soak slices in cold water.
Fibre−2gProtein−1gNet carbs−1gkcal−10 - Turnip1:1
Earthier; best cooked.
Fibre−1gProtein−1gNet carbs+1gkcal±0
Celeriac
Knobbly root, sweet-celery flavour, low-carb mash and chip staple.
Produce
Celeriac
Knobbly root, sweet-celery flavour, low-carb mash and chip staple.
Macro change vs original · per 150 g
- Swede (rutabaga)1:1
Sweeter; slightly higher carbs.
Fibre−1gProtein−1gNet carbs+3gkcal+5 - Turnip1:1
Closest carb count; peppery.
Fibre−1gProtein−1gNet carbs±0gkcal−10 - Cauliflower1:1 (for mash)
Lower carb; less earthy.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs−3gkcal−15
Sauerkraut
Fermented cabbage — probiotic and tangy.
Produce
Sauerkraut
Fermented cabbage — probiotic and tangy.
Macro change vs original · per 100 g
- Kimchi (mild)1:1
Spicier; reduce chilli elsewhere.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs+1gkcal+5 - Shredded cabbage + 1 tbsp vinegar / 100 g1:1
Quick stand-in; no live cultures.
Fibre+1gProtein±0gNet carbs+1gkcal+5
Smoked mackerel
Oily fish, ready to flake into salads and kedgerees.
Fish & meat
Smoked mackerel
Oily fish, ready to flake into salads and kedgerees.
Macro change vs original · per 100 g
- Tinned sardines in olive oil, drained1:1
Closest macros and shelf life.
Fibre±0gProtein+1gNet carbs±0gkcal−25 - Hot-smoked salmon1:1
Milder; same flake.
Fibre±0gProtein+4gNet carbs±0gkcal−35 - Tinned mackerel fillets1:1
Drain well; less smoke.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs±0gkcal−30
Arctic char
Nordic salmon-trout hybrid in flavour and macros.
Fish & meat
Arctic char
Nordic salmon-trout hybrid in flavour and macros.
Macro change vs original · per 150 g fillet
- Sea trout1:1
Almost identical.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs±0gkcal+5 - Salmon fillet1:1
Richer; reduce added oil.
Fibre±0gProtein+1gNet carbs±0gkcal+40 - Rainbow trout1:1
Widely stocked in UK supermarkets.
Fibre±0gProtein−1gNet carbs±0gkcal−20
Venison
Lean British game, high protein, very low fat.
Fish & meat
Venison
Lean British game, high protein, very low fat.
Macro change vs original · per 120 g raw
- Lean diced beef (5% fat)1:1
Closest macros; slightly fattier.
Fibre±0gProtein−2gNet carbs±0gkcal+25 - Lean lamb leg, diced1:1
Stronger flavour — halve the rosemary.
Fibre±0gProtein−3gNet carbs±0gkcal+45 - Turkey thigh, diced1:1
Budget option; cooks faster.
Fibre±0gProtein−2gNet carbs±0gkcal+15
Chorizo (cooking)
Smoky paprika sausage that flavours stews.
Fish & meat
Chorizo (cooking)
Smoky paprika sausage that flavours stews.
Macro change vs original · per 60 g
- Smoked turkey sausage + ½ tsp smoked paprika1:1
Lower fat; mimics smoke.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs+1gkcal−100 - Andouille or kabanos1:1
Similar pork-paprika profile.
Fibre±0gProtein+2gNet carbs±0gkcal−20 - Smoked bacon lardons + paprika1:1
Crisp first, then add paprika off heat.
Fibre±0gProtein−2gNet carbs−1gkcal+30
Halloumi
Brined cheese that holds shape when fried.
Dairy
Halloumi
Brined cheese that holds shape when fried.
Macro change vs original · per 80 g
- Paneer1:1
Less salty; brush with oil and salt before frying.
Fibre±0gProtein−1gNet carbs+1gkcal−20 - Firm feta, patted dry1:1
Crumblier; sear briefly.
Fibre±0gProtein−4gNet carbs±0gkcal−50 - Queso para freír1:1
Latin American equivalent.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs±0gkcal±0
Rye flour
Earthy Northern European flour, higher fibre than wheat.
Grains & flours
Rye flour
Earthy Northern European flour, higher fibre than wheat.
Macro change vs original · per 50 g
- Wholemeal spelt flour1:1
Similar fibre; lighter flavour.
Fibre−1gProtein+1gNet carbs+2gkcal+5 - Wholemeal wheat + 1 tbsp cocoa / 100 g1:1
Mimics rye's dark note.
Fibre±0gProtein+1gNet carbs+1gkcal+5 - Buckwheat flour1:1
Gluten-free; denser crumb.
Fibre−2gProtein±0gNet carbs+3gkcal+10
Almond flour (ground almonds)
Low-carb baking base.
Grains & flours
Almond flour (ground almonds)
Low-carb baking base.
Macro change vs original · per 30 g
- Sunflower seed flour1:1
Nut-free; use baking powder, not soda (may turn green).
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs+1gkcal±0 - Hazelnut flour1:1
Sweeter; pairs with cocoa.
Fibre±0gProtein−2gNet carbs±0gkcal+5 - Coconut flourUse ¼ amount + extra egg
Highly absorbent — never swap straight.
Fibre+2gProtein−4gNet carbs+1gkcal−90
Lentils (Puy / green)
Hold shape in salads and stews; high fibre and protein.
Pantry
Lentils (Puy / green)
Hold shape in salads and stews; high fibre and protein.
Macro change vs original · per 100 g cooked
- Tinned green or brown lentils, drained1:1 (cooked weight)
Skip simmering.
Fibre±0gProtein±0gNet carbs±0gkcal−5 - Black beluga lentils1:1
Same cooking time.
Fibre+1gProtein+1gNet carbs±0gkcal+5 - Tinned chickpeas, halved1:1
Bigger bite; slightly higher carbs.
Fibre−1gProtein−2gNet carbs+4gkcal+15