7 Tasty Healthy Food Substitutions :Saying goodbye to all of your favorite comfort foods is one of the most difficult aspects of dieting or simply adopting a healthier lifestyle in general. Who wants to give up pasta, mashed potatoes, and all the other delicious foods they have loved since their mother made them for them as children?
But maintaining a healthy diet need not prevent you from enjoying comfort food in the future. You can still eat your favorite foods while feeling like you made a healthy choice by replacing some of the components with less caloric, carbohydrate- and sugar-dense alternatives utilizing some of these tricks.
How might this hack possibly operate, making it sound impossible? However, it does, and using this approach doesn’t even need that you adore pumpkin. As Very Well Fit notes, you can make delicious brownies without tasting like pumpkin by combining a package of chocolate cake mix with canned pumpkin. Enjoy pumpkin? For a healthier treat that tastes just like a pumpkin latte, try mixing spice cake mix with canned pumpkin.
You’ve just resolved to look after your body by making healthier food and lifestyle choices. One of the most crucial steps in doing this is to increase your intake of whole foods and eliminate meals that may not be the best for your health.
Those meal swaps don’t have to be a significant shift, so don’t be afraid. You can increase the variety and number of nutrient-dense foods in your current diet by making such substitutions. It seems simple, doesn’t it? It is, in fact.
7 Tasty Healthy Food Substitutions
Salad Cobb
Despite the fact that a Cobb salad is always a vibrant explosion of taste and texture, by the time you’ve consumed the eggs, bacon, chicken, avocado, blue cheese, and creamy dressing, you’ve consumed far more saturated fat than is considered healthy.
Additionally, according to Collison, there is more protein than you usually need in a single meal. Observe this surprise: By switching to a BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato) sandwich on whole-wheat bread, you may achieve a comparable flavor combination while also improving your health. You’ll not only eat a more evenly distributed amount of fat and protein, but you’ll also feel fuller for longer. The sandwich will keep you fuller than the salad because of the entire grains in the bread, according to Collison.
Chocolate, dark
Cocoa beans, which are used to make chocolate, are rich in potent compounds that have significant positive effects on health. Unfortunately, there is typically very little actual chocolate in candy bars that claim to be chocolate. They are a very processed variety of chocolate that primarily contains sugar, milk, and other components.
But even without the drawbacks of a chocolate candy, you can still enjoy that rich, chocolate flavor. Eat a few squares of high-quality dark chocolate at a time from a bar with a high cacao content and low sugar level. Dark chocolate is an antioxidant-rich food that has a high cocoa bean content and can, for instance, help lower blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol.
Instead of crisps, use popcorn
The majority of crisps don’t offer anything in the way of health benefits. They have almost no nutritional value and are very heavy in calories, salt, and saturated fats. Try substituting a package of plain or mildly seasoned popcorn for your chips if you find yourself needing a salty snack in between meals. You might be saving yourself about eight grams of fat and 50 calories every 25g serving in addition to giving your body a boost of antioxidants, minerals, and fiber.
Coffee should replace sugary energy drinks.
Although coffee may not seem like the best option, it always outperforms energy drinks. Energy drinks typically contain a lot of caffeine and sugar, according to Eden. Coffee has a terrible reputation, but it’s not always a poor decision; it all depends on how much and what kind you’re drinking. Portion management is essential!
Eden continues, “If you’re making your own, use a small cup and try not to consume more than 3–4 cups of caffeinated beverages per day, including tea and fizzy drinks with caffeine.” ‘Caffeine in large doses can raise blood pressure.
Replace your white side dishes with green ones.
The most common sides given with meals are potatoes, noodles, rice, and bread. However, consuming these starchy carbs regularly can result in elevated blood sugar. You are more likely to develop heart disease if you have elevated blood sugar levels. Choose whole grain pasta, brown rice, or wild rice in moderation if you decide to eat a starchy side dish.
Green vegetable side dishes can have just as much, if not more, taste. Greens like kale, broccoli, spinach, and collards are low in carbs, high in fiber, and include vitamins K, A, and C in addition to other minerals and nutrients. According to Isuk, including green veggies on your plate can aid in reducing internal inflammation and excessive cholesterol, both of which are risk factors for heart disease.
You can improve the health of your heart by just altering a little portion of the food choices you make each day. And if you make dietary adjustments, be careful to consult your physician or a dietician.
Fruit wholes can replace fruit juice.
We comprehend that drinking cold-pressed juice is much more practical than cleaning, chopping, and ingesting an entire fruit. But here’s how it works: Whole fruit is a fantastic source of fiber and nutrients like vitamin C, which guarantees that the fruit’s sugar is absorbed gradually by our bodies. This helps to keep your blood sugar levels within the usual range while also making you feel fuller for longer.
Fruits’ surface area and air exposure are increased when they are juiced, which exposes the nutrients to oxidation. Juicing also disintegrates the fiber, which makes the sugar more palatable to your body. Because of the rapid digestion, you’ll probably start to feel hungry more frequently.
Consider that you can hardly consume more than an entire orange in one sitting but can easily down a glass of orange juice squeezed from two or more oranges when you eat a whole fruit.
Sliced bread
Many individuals like white bread’s soft, pillowy feel over heartier breads like whole wheat or rye because of its lighter texture. White bread has minimal nutritional benefit, however, as it is deficient in fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, like all items made from processed grains.
Therefore, replacing it with healthier alternatives can benefit your health.
Choose a whole grain, sprouted bread like Ezekiel bread if you’re seeking for a healthier bread. It’s abundant in protein and fiber, and the sprouting process might make some nutrients more readily available and lessen the impact of the bread on your blood sugar levels.