If you’re looking to get yourself on a health kick, here’s our list of healthy alternatives to your favorite comfort foods.
Peanut butter and jelly
If you have a sweet tooth and love a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, we’ve got good and bad news for you. The bad news is that jelly is super high in sweeteners or sugar, while peanut butter often contains saturated fats. The good news is that combining seed butter and berries on toast will give you the same delicious taste. Go to Beyond the Equator and check out their healthier products, such as their five seed butter that works perfectly as a sandwich spread.
Pizza
There’s nothing better than a slice (or three) of a takeaway pizza on a Friday night. But if you’re on a health kick, that’s got to go. Thankfully, when the pizza craving hits, there is an alternative. Many people are now turning to low-carb or gluten-free alternatives to make pizza at home. Use blended cauliflower, zucchini, or even quinoa to make your pizza base and opt for low-fat cheese.
Chips
Chips are a well-loved snack, but these fried carbs aren’t great for our health. Veggie crisp recipes have been popping up all over the web over the past few years, so there’s plenty of alternatives to check out for an afternoon snack. Kale chips are a popular favorite.
Mac ‘n’ cheese
No matter what kind of day you’re having, mac ‘n’ cheese is the perfect comfort food. This deliciously creamy dish can fix any problem… except for an expanding waistline. One way to make mac ‘n’ cheese healthier is by using chickpea pasta, a low-carb, gluten-free alternative. It also contains a good dose of protein and fiber. The second option is to use melty vegan cheese to avoid consuming too much fat and lactose.
Chocolate brownies
For a sweet treat, it’s easy to grab a chocolate brownie from your favorite bakery. But a vegan brownie, full of vegetables is a much healthier choice. Doesn’t sound great, but you can barely tell the difference. Instead of using just flour, sugar, and chocolate, there are now plenty of recipes using sweet potatoes or even zucchini to make that gooey chocolatey goodness.
Fried chicken
Who doesn’t love fried chicken? Our bodies…
If you can’t live without a few wings, there are two options to make this meal that little bit healthier. The first option is to invest in an air fryer. This device is perfect for chicken, cooking bacon, and fries. Air fryers use air to add crispiness to food rather than depending on a heavy amount of oil.
For a healthier batter, you can also swap out the original mix for a cauliflower blend.
So, it’s unlikely you’ll win any awards for healthy eating with these comfort food alternatives, but they are good for peace of mind. Making small changes to your diet and swapping out unhealthy options for healthier versions can quickly make a big difference. And, by not restricting yourself from your favorite foods, you’re more likely to stick to your diet long-term, rather than falling at the first hurdle.
