With these healthy-ish interpretations of classic cravings, you can have your (flourless, protein-packed) cake and eat it too.
Contrary to those infographics circulated on Pinterest that command, “Stop eating these 10 foods to lose weight,” eating well doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing endeavor. Research actually shows that occasionally enjoying your food “vice” can help you stick to your healthy eating goals overall. Sometimes you can even take your favorite not-so-healthy dish and turn it into something a little more virtuous …
Instead of nachos with cheese sauce…
Cheesy Baked Sweet Potato Nachos
Instead of a chili dog or a Sloppy Joe…
White Bean and Turkey Chili with Cornbread Crumble
Instead of fish and chips
Roasted Vegetables and Trout with Green Goddess Cream
Instead of those hazelnut chocolates left over from the holidays
Flourless Hazelnut Chocolate Cake
Food swaps, your way
Got a not-so-healthy dish you just love? Get smart about what you can swap in for it (most of the time) to satisfy that craving and stay on track with your New Year’s goals.
Less often: Fried fish tacos
More often: Grilled fish tacos
Less often: Ramen
More often: Brown rice bowls
Less often: Chocolate milkshakes
More often: Chocolate smoothies made with banana, avocado, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and protein powder
Less often: Deep-fried french fries
More often: Oven-baked russet potato fries
Less often: Fruit candy
More often: Dried fruit
Less often: Eggs Benedict
More often: Poached eggs on avocado toast with hot sauce
Less often: Sweetened ice tea
More often: Kombucha
Less often: Fried doughnuts
More often: Baked doughnuts
Less often: Pie and ice cream
More often: Fruit crumble with plain yogurt
Less often: Loaded chicken tacos
More often: Chicken tortilla soup
Less often: Milk chocolate
More often: Dark chocolate (at least 70 percent cocoa)
Less often: Sweetened yogurt
More often: Plain yogurt with a swirl of jam or honey
Less often: Carbonara pasta
More often: Kamut or gluten-free spaghetti with olive oil, garlic, and roasted broccoli
Less often: Battered and fried fish or chicken
More often: Homemade almond meal- or flaxseed meal-breaded baked fish or chicken
