Your body will thank you for these healthy alternatives!
Sometimes you just want to enjoy some soul-comforting junk food. Fat and salt can taste so sweet at the right moments. But of course choosing unhealthy junk food isn’t the best for your body. We’ve compiled a list of 10 healthy alternatives to junk food that will satisfy those cravings without the guilt that accompanies burgers, pizza’s and other fatty foods.
These 10 healthy alternatives to junk food will change your life
1. Kale Chips instead of Potato Chips
Do you enjoy snacking on salty potato chips? How about swapping them out for kale chips. Using kale for your chips reduces the amount of fat and adds a lot more nutritional value, while retaining that satisfying crunch your mouth is yearning for. You can bake these chips in all of your favorite flavors, like Classic (oil, salt & pepper), Cheesy (with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast) or BBQ (paprika, chili, garlic, brown sugar and dry mustard).
Why not cook up a big batch and distribute them into small portions, so you have something to snack on the go?
2. Baked Veggie Fries instead of French Fries
Say goodbye to french fries and hello to roasted veggie fries. You can get the same crispy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside texture as traditional fries, but with a lot of added health benefits. Cut into strips and throw them in the oven. You can choose from a variety of veggies, even mixing them up. Choose baked carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, broccoli or any other vegetable you like. Why not serve with a homemade sauce on the side?
3. Yogurt Fruit Pops instead of Ice Cream
Substituting regular ice cream for frozen yoghurt and berries is an easy way to get through those nasty cravings while staying healthy. Simply fill a bowl with yoghurt, your favorite berries or other fruits, and freeze. You can even add nuts, dark chocolate or other toppings. Wait a few hours, take it out of the fridge and spoon away!
The best thing is: You can make large batches that stay good for months.
4. Power Balls > Donuts
Satisfy those donut cravings with healthy power balls. You don’t even need to bake them! They’re super easy to make and full of nutrients. Your body will thank you. Combine oats, peanut butter, shredded coconut, flax seed, chocolate chips, honey, vanilla extract and chia seeds. Mix together and form into balls. Snack away!
5. Black Bean Brownies instead of Cakes
Love cakes but want to cut down on the calorie and sugar count? You can make brownies out of black beans. Just throw in a lot of cocoa powder and you wont even notice. It’s a very easy way to whip up a filling, healthy substitute. Its dairy free, flourless, nut free, and sugar free. You can find the recipe for this strange-sounding but great-tasting treat online.
6. Homemade Smoothies instead of Milkshakes
Use your blender to whip up a healthy homemade smoothie instead of the usual milkshake. Combine (vegan) yoghurt, (soy) milk, fruit, nuts and other toppings. Toss into a blender and run at the highest setting. You’ll have a fruity, sweet, healthy drink that will get you through the hottest summer days. We’re sure you’ll love your smoothies even more than you used to love your milkshakes.
7. Chocolate-Dipped Nuts instead of Candy
Satisfy your candy-craving with chocolate-dipped nuts instead. Simply get a bag of unsalted nuts and some dark chocolate, heat up the dark chocolate, then coat the nuts. Store in the fridge for a few hours until the chocolate has hardened and you’ve made your own bite-sized candy snacks that are a lot better for you than sugar-loaded candy.
8. Fruity Sparkling Water instead of Soda
There’s a reason why soda is sometimes named “liquid calories”. Without knowing it, you can gulp down thousands of calories in minutes. If you’re thirsty and craving for a sweet drink, why not make your own by combining sparkling water with pieces of fruit? It’s guaranteed to refresh you while cutting down on the calories. This works great for parties too: a pitcher with water and fruit looks very appetizing and fancy.
9. Homemade “Fake-Out” instead of Chinese Take-Out
Skip take-out and fake-out instead. The internet is a great resource for quick, easy, healthy substitutes for Chinese food. Why not make your own General Tso’s Chicken? Or cook a batch of healthy sweet ‘n sour chicken? You’ll even be able to impress your guests with your cooking skills. We promise we wont tell them you used someone else’s recipe
10. Crust-Free Pizza instead of Pizza Delivery
When you think about it, pizza’s just a collection of tomato, cheese, toppings and dough. You can healthify your pizza by skipping out on the dough, while putting the other ingredients onto a vegetable. Stuff a zucchini or a portobello mushroom, for example. You’ll satisfy that pizza craving without the carbs. You can snack without the guilt!
