They say you are what you eat. So if you’ve been adding unhealthy ingredients to your diet lately, what does that make you? One step closer to being old at a young age.
We hate to break it to you – but it’s time you start eating right. Indeed, it’s not easy to eat healthy all the time. Some days you want to crack open a large bag of Cheetos and give up – right? But that’s because we make healthy eating look like an impossible-to-reach goal.
Whatever stops you from being healthy, you should take a seat because there is an alternative available.
Here it is: Instead of feeling compelled to stop eating everything you enjoy. What if you began to consider how you could substitute something you enjoy for something similar but healthier? Because then you have an effective lifestyle change without the added trauma.
You’ll be surprised at how many delicious food changeovers there are and how effortless they are to add. And the best part? Most times, you’ll never be able to feel the difference.
So without further ado, let’s have a look at the switcheroo of ingredients.
Switch Breadcrumbs with Chia Seeds
Chia seeds make a healthy substitute for breadcrumbs in recipes like meatloaf, meatballs, or other meals that need a little help staying together. These superfood seeds can soak up to 27 times their weight in water!
You can also use chia seeds as breading, either ground or whole, with or without mixing with other ingredients. It’s great to mix chia seeds with chopped nuts or shredded coconuts to be breaded for fish or oven-baked chicken.
Whichever way you decide to munch on them, ensure you’ve had chia seeds before and did not experience any allergic reactions. Some people may experience an allergic reaction after consuming chia seeds.
Though this is uncommon, it’s better to be on the safe side of everything. Therefore, go for an Allergy test from a reliable source before putting chia seeds into your body.
When it comes to why we should use chia seeds as breadcrumbs, they have antioxidants, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and even protein. We hope that’s enough reason for you to start eating them.
Switch Sugar with Applesauce
Sugar and applesauce – isn’t that crazy? Not even close.
Whether it’s in brownies, cookies, or cakes, you can substitute unsweetened applesauce for sugar in all your baking recipes.
Tip: If you’re putting applesauce in place of sugar, you may want to reduce the number of other liquids in your recipes.
One cup of sugar contains more than 770 calories, whereas the same amount of applesauce has only 100. Based on the serving sizes of what you are making, you could effortlessly save anywhere from 30 to 250 calories.
Switch Milk Chocolate with Dark Chocolate
Unpopular opinion: dark chocolate is better than milk chocolate.
According to a Harvard review, dark chocolate contains plant-based nutrients shown to help improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and fight cell damage. However, too many ingredients can lead to weight gain, so be very obstinate about portion control!
So purchase individually wrapped bits of dark chocolate, and choose to have one or two as a bitter dessert!
Switch Bacon with Pancetta or Prosciutto
Bacon is undoubtedly the go-to for achieving that smoky flavor in savory meals (and even some sweet ones). But if you’re planning on consuming even one slice of prosciutto, you’ll be choosing a higher quality of meat. So think about it!
Switch Potato Chips with Popcorn
This one is by far our favorite switch-up because no one should get deprived of snacks for movie nights.
Potato chips have unhealthy carbs and fats. So next time, try swapping them with folksy popcorn. It is a much healthier alternative. It is also a great way to involve kids in the kitchen because they’ll love to watch popcorn pop.
Switch Potatoes with Cauliflower
We know a lot of people despise cauliflower. Still, if you choose to swap it for potatoes, you’ll never notice even a slight difference. We can make cauliflower soup, cauliflower mash, and various others healthier alternatives to high-carb potatoes.
The texture and taste make it hard to differentiate. Before you know it, you’ll be eating vegetables that are guilt-free.
Switch Cola with Flavored Water
If you’re in the habit of guzzling down several cans of cola each day, you need to stop. It isn’t good for you.
We know how difficult it can be to drink water, so why not flavor it. You can do this with a few slices of cucumbers, berries, or lemon. As a result, you have a healthy alternative to cola.
Switch Booze with Mocktails
Whether you’re attempting to cut back on alcohol or participating in “Dry January” as a health challenge, you can brew mocktails that are just as tasty and complicated as the real thing.
Moreover, if you are going to stick to your guns, at least consider cutting back on sugar. Instead, try a zero-calorie liquid sweetener for simple sugar syrups.
Switch Butter with Avocado
There’s no need to switch all your butter with avocado. However, a tiny amount of it would make you wonder whether it is in your brownies or on toast (avocado tastes terrific on toast).
Also, you can switch the butter in your baked items with avocados, and you won’t even notice it.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s no need to change your diet altogether if you want to cultivate healthier eating habits. Just a few simple food substitutes are enough to help you get closer to your wellness and nutritional goals.
Now that you have a list of healthy junk food alternatives, you can prepare for a fit body without losing the excitement. So try out some of the mouth-watering alternatives listed above whenever you’re prepping your next meal or craving a snack and enjoy the hell out of them.
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