You know how it is. You make a vow to lose weight. You even write in your journal that you’ll start eating right and working out.
But despite your best efforts, the lure of junk food is just too hard to resist. What should be just a taste turns into four slices of pizza or one whole candy bar or a large bag of potato chips.
You feel defeated and disappointed. But what can you do when empty calories just taste so great?
Yes, we know the struggle is real. The good news is, there are healthy alternatives to your favorite junk foods. Take a look at these five yummy goodies that are sure to satisfy your cravings.
1. Non-Fried Fries
Did you know that by eating just 10 pieces of regular greasy fries, you’re already consuming 100 calories of your recommended dietary allowance (RDA)? That’s going pile on the calories quick if you order a large serving.
Luckily, there are many ways to get creative with fries. Instead of frying potatoes, you can bake them.
Or if you really want healthy alternatives, forget the potatoes and swap them with carrots, parsnips, zucchini or eggplant. You can even make fries with rutabaga or butternut squash.
Just remember, whatever root veggie you choose, you should bake, not fry. Every teaspoon of oil adds calories and fats. Baking also requires little to no oil so you don’t have to worry about splatters and the smell if your kitchen isn’t well-ventilated.
2. Candy Craving Killers
Nope, that Snickers bar isn’t calling your name. But you know what is? Hot cocoa with raw almonds.
At only 200 calories, you’ll be getting your chocolate fix plus extras such as protein, fiber, and healthy fat from the almonds.
How about healthy alternatives to Skittles or Milky Ways, you ask. Okay, if you’re craving Skittles, you can try a cup of frozen grapes. It’s not as rainbowy in taste but you’ll still get the same crunch plus some sweetness.
Oh, and they’re only 100 calories so of course, they’re a lot better for you. For your Milky Way swap, you can try a 60-calorie vanilla latte.
Make it with two-percent milk and hold the vanilla syrup. You can add real vanilla extract instead for a creamy treat that’s still enough to satisfy your craving for something sweet.
3. Guilt-Free Ice Cream
There are as many swaps for calorie-laden ice cream as there are ice cream flavors. Okay, maybe not as much but they’re still great if you’re tired of yogurt or sorbet.
For example, have you heard of nice creams? They’re basically blended frozen bananas with the consistency of a soft serve. You can try them plain or you can jazz them up with cherries, nuts, or dark chocolate.
If you’re a fan of matcha, try this recipe which calls for a bit of sweetened condensed milk. Just make sure you don’t overdo it with the milk or you’ll end up with more calories than you wanted.
Another ice cream alternative would be pudding pops. You can make them with instant pudding (Jell-O is fine) and 2.5 cups of milk to make four to six popsicles. You can also add extras such as pistachio crumbs or marshmallows.
Of course, you need popsicle sticks and molds. To make, prepare the instant pudding according to instructions and add the milk. Pour into the molds and set for five minutes.
Put in the popsicle sticks and freeze overnight.
4. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Pasta
When it comes to healthy alternatives to pasta, most people use spaghetti squash. But some find the texture off-putting.
If that’s the case with you, you can try zucchini ribbons or Japanese soba noodles.
Shirataki noodles are also a great substitute. They’re fiber-rich and are very low in calories. Now, if you feel like they’re a far cry from pasta and won’t be satisfied with anything else, try brown rice pasta or make your own with a spiralizer.
Just make sure you watch your portions and try to experiment with healthy pasta sauces.
Bonus: Here are some healthy mac and cheese recipes.
5. Pizza Substitutes
The secret to a good pizza substitute is low-calorie toppings such as diced chicken, mushrooms, low-fat cheese, and ham.
Yes, ham.
Not only is it protein-rich, it’s also lower in fat than bacon or ground beef or sausage. Ham is also cheaper too, so if you must have meat on your pizza, it’s the way to go.
As for the crust, you can try a whole wheat English muffin or a crust made from quinoa. Eggplant slices are also great swaps if you like thin crust. For a little more out-there option, you can do a pizza crust made from sweet potatoes.
Why Healthy Alternatives?
Some diets fail because the focus is on deprivation. It’s hard to sustain such eating habits if you always feel like the foods you love are off-limits.
You’ll be more successful with small changes. Don’t think of weight loss as a sprint. It’s a very long race that doesn’t even have a finish line.
You want to make healthy eating manageable and sustainable. Food swaps allow you to do that because you don’t have to fight your cravings. You’re just going for options that will save you calories.
Supercharge Your Weight Loss
First of all, congrats on your decision to be the healthiest version of yourself. We know it’s not easy but as long as you’re committed to your goal, you will get there.
Our program allows you to supplement your dietary efforts with our natural dietary supplement, which contains nutritional ingredients that support fatty acid transportation and metabolism. When eaten together with anti-inflammatory foods that are low on the Glycemic Index (GI), your body will be primed to convert stored fat into energy.
The ChiroThin Weight Loss Program also includes behavioral modification techniques and other strategies to help you lose and maintain a healthy weight. For more information about our product and program, don’t forget to register for our free e-books.
You may also click here to find a ChiroThin doctor near you!