Eat This Not That

Are you looking for a few great ideas for living healthy? How about five healthy alternatives for some of the most common junk foods. By changing the way you eat, you can achieve your goal of healthier living. These five alternatives will get you started on the right track.

Trade out those potato chips and dip. Instead of greasy chips and fatty dips opt for multi-grain pita chips and hummus. This alternative is also better than tortilla chips and salsa. Whole-grain pita ships tend to have less saturated fat than regular chips. And hummus makes for a protein-rich dip. Hummus comes in a variety of flavors which will satisfy most any craving. You can find spicy hummus flavors, classic hummus, and hummus loaded with tomato just to name a few.

A delicious alternative to making pizza. Everyone loves pizza and it is an easy fix to create a healthier version. Start with a whole-wheat dough and top it with a healthier cheese option such as skim mozzarella. As far as meats go, chicken is a great alternative. Or you can try a tomato and basil topped pizza, vegetables are always an option for pizza. You can make a small individual pizza by using pita bread in place of the dough.

Replace candy and still satisfy a sweet tooth. Most of us have a bit of a sweet tooth. Sometimes you just have to have something sweet. Candy is usually the first thing you think about eating in order to satisfy that craving. But before you grab for that candy bar try eating fresh fruit or dried fruit.

• Simple strawberries or blueberries can easily curve that craving for sweets.
• Apples are also a great healthy treat and you can add yogurt and cinnamon to boost the taste.
• Dried fruits are a great treat on their own or accompanied with a trail mix of nuts and chocolate chips and you’ll get high-quality carbs and fats.
• Bananas are good, increase the pleasure with a drizzle of caramel and shaved almonds.

Skip the french fries. Sweet potato fries are becoming easier to find even in the fast food restaurants. So instead of french fries try baked sweet potato fries or yams. These alternatives have less bad fats and you can get a boost of beta-carotene which is great for promoting healthy eyes. If you are baking them at home drizzle them with a little olive oil before you set them in the oven.
Alternatives to ice cream. Ice cream is a very popular dessert but there are healthier alternatives that will be just as tasty. Try yogurt instead, it comes in a large variety of flavors. Yogurt is a great healthy choice and the best part is you can add to it just as you may add to ice cream.

• Toss in some dry oats and your favorite berries to make your yogurt sweet.
• Blend yogurts to create a yogurt smoothie.
• Add baked maple pairs and granola for a sweet and savory treat.

You can also add in yogurt as a replacement in some recipes. Some items you can replace include sour cream, heavy cream, or buttermilk. So be on the look out for opportunities to adding yogurt for a healthier ingredient for your recipes.