With these healthy and – omg! –super-tasty food swaps.
With these healthy and – omg! –super-tasty food swaps.
You don’t have to feel guilty about indulging in a slice of cake once in a while – you’re an adult, after all. But if you feel like making an “eat clean” resolution this month, let’s just say you’re definitely not alone, either. The good news: it’s not all salads, soups and deprivation diets if you want to eat a little healthier. Think healthy food swaps and you’ve got a sustainable plan for feeding yourself well – tastebuds included.
Thanks to its fluffy cooked texture, this It Grain makes a great substitute for rice or couscous. But its nutritional value means there’s a strong health argument for making the switch. High in fiber and protein, it keeps you full and feeling satisfied. Quinoa’s low glycemic index also means you won’t be slumping into a food coma a few hours later, or craving the inevitable carb hit that comes with it.
If you’re the resident baker at home, know that – with a little bit of creativity – it’s entirely possible to have your cake and eat it too. For instance, you can use almond flour instead of wheat flour to produce a healthier chocolate cake. Another little-known trick is that applesauce, which is made from pureed apples, can serve as a low-fat substitute for butter. This works well for carrot cake recipes, but can even be used to make brownies a little more heart-healthy. If you arm yourself with an open mind and a bit of research, anything’s possible!
It’s yellow, stringy and you can twirl it around your fork but it’s not pasta?! Wonder of wonders, it’s actually a vegetable. This variety of winter squash gets its name from the spaghetti-like texture it has when cooked. To prepare it, you cut the squash in half, remove the seeds and bake it in the oven till the flesh is soft, tender, and can be pulled apart with a fork. OK, so it doesn’t taste exactly like wheat pasta, but it’s got one-fifth the calories and the mild flavour means it will go great with Bolognese sauce. Yum.
These traditional Japanese noodles are gaining a reputation in the health and fitness community for one simple reason: zero calories. Yup, you heard right. Made from konjac and with a texture similar to Korean japchae, shirataki noodles are basically all fiber, meaning no carbs and no calories. But mainly, they’re also a delicious way to enjoy a filling, guilt-free meal, since they have no taste and basically carry whatever flavours you choose to add to the dish. You can find them at Japanese supermarkets and give them the salad treatment by tossing them with veggies, protein and a dressing. Or use them as a substitute for basically any kind of noodle in a stir-fry.
