Eating healthy does not mean you need to sacrifice your favorite foods. Eating foods in moderation is not bad for you, but if you eat comfort foods daily, you may want alternatives to satisfy your cravings. Too much junk food can harm your health but luckily, there are many delicious alternatives. These are just as tasty as the originals and you can feel less guilty indulging in them.
Here are seven ways to healthify your favs.
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1. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
French fries are delicious junk food that many people love, especially from a drive-through. They are typically deep-fired in oils that are unhealthy for you. If you love grabbing your fries every day, try making them at home in the oven. You don’t have to use sweet potatoes, but they do offer some great health benefits like fiber, potassium and vitamins to get in while enjoying a delicious snack.
You simply slice the sweet potato into fries and toss them in olive oil and sea salt. Bake them in the oven until crispy and you have your healthy version of french fries. Using olive oil instead of deep frying them in oils they use at restaurants will save you from worrying about negative health impacts.
2. Greek Yogurt Ranch/Sour Cream
Ranch is a delicious condiment that pairs well with carrots and celery. You can use non-fat plain Greek yogurt mixed with a powdered ranch packet to make your snack even healthier. It creates a healthy alternative and adds protein to the meal.
Plain non-fat Greek yogurt is an excellent alternative to sour cream. It might sound interesting at first, but you will not notice a difference after you try it. You don’t have to add anything to the yogurt to replace sour cream. Put the yogurt on top of your tacos and enjoy the delicious alternative.
3. Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Pizza is a classic and loved comfort food. It can be unhealthy with lots of toppings, sauces and unhealthy fats. For a low-carb option, you can try to make a crust out of finely diced cauliflower, eggs and cheese. A cauliflower crust also adds nutrients to your meal. You can grate or dice cauliflower, mix it with eggs and cheese, then bake it in the oven for a crispy crust.
Once you make the crust, you can customize it with sauces and toppings. You get to enjoy pizza knowing you are taking steps for it to be a healthier alternative.
4. Fresh Fruit Smoothies
Milkshakes are a delicious sweet treat that many people enjoy at the end of the day. They can be high in sugar calories that negatively affect your health over time. Fresh fruit smoothies are a great alternative that tastes just as good. You can customize the flavor with fruits like strawberry, mango, banana and more. Add Greek yogurt to give it thickness and honey for extra sweetness.
You can even turn it into a smoothie bowl if you want something with more substance. Create your smoothie, pour it into a bowl and add whatever toppings you like. It can be granola, peanut butter and fresh fruits. This fruity and delicious treat is a perfect alternative for ice cream and milkshakes.
5. Zucchini Noodles
A big bowl of pasta is comforting and easy to make after a long day. Pasta can be high in carbs and calories, but luckily there is a healthy alternative so you can enjoy your evening noodles. Zucchini noodles are low in carbs and high in nutrients. You can hardly tell the difference when cooked perfectly while getting delicious benefits from zucchini.
You need a spiralizer to turn the zucchini into the right shape to make the noodles. Once they are shaped like noodles, you can sauté them with garlic and olive oil. Add whatever sauces and seasoning you like and enjoy a healthy meal.
6. Baked Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are a delicious food with many sauces to customize the experience. This versatile food can be high and fat in calories. To make a just as enjoyable version, you can make baked chicken wings. You can marinate your own chicken wings, nuggets or tenders in whatever sauce you like and bake them in the oven until crispy. This prevents the chicken wings from being deep fried and absorbing unhealthy oils.
7. Homemade Popcorn
Microwave popcorn can have transfats and artificial flavors. To avoid these ingredients, you can make homemade popcorn that is simple and delicious. Get popcorn kernels, coconut oil and salt to season with it. Pop it on your own for a satisfying snack.
Enjoy Health Alternatives
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. Making alternatives to your favorite healthy foods can make things easier to start the transition to healthy foods in your diet. Try these delicious changes to enjoy your favorite foods more mindfully.
