30 healthy alternatives to your favourite foods

by | Mar 20, 2021 | Food

30 healthy alternatives to your favourite foods

Eating well is a daily struggle. There are so many tempting treats out there that making health-conscious choices may feel like an impossible mission. Luckily, we have the answer. These healthy alternatives to your favourite foods are as satisfying as their original versions. Here are 30 good-for-you options that will keep you coming back for more!



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Swap regular chips for Swiss chard chips

Craving the crunchy, salty taste of chips? Make your own, healthier version of this snack. Wash some Swiss chard leaves, drizzle on olive oil, and bake. Sprinkle them with sea salt to flavour. Make a large batch of these chips and you’ll be ready whenever those hunger pangs strike.



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Instead of regular tacos, make lettuce wraps

Lovers of Tex-Mex rejoice! Here’s a healthy alternative you definitely should know about. Try using lettuce leaves as wraps rather than regular tortillas. This simple swap lets you feast on spicy, savoury tacos without the extra carbs. You can, of course, use other leaves, such as spinach or kale instead.



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Switch cookies for apple slices and peanut butter

When you fancy a sweet snack, the obvious choice may be to reach for a chocolate chip cookie. While this snack is satisfying, it’s packed with sugar and calories. Swapping the treat for some apple slices topped with peanut butter could be the answer. You can even add extras, such as berries and coconut flakes.



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Swap fries for roasted sweet potato fries

There are few things as truly satisfying as a hot bowl of fries! While this snack is, of course, delicious, it’s also high in calories and bad for your health. Why not switch things up by roasting your own version at home? Baking sweet potato fries in olive oil is an easy way to satisfy your cravings.



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Instead of ice cream, try yogurt popsicles

When the weather is fine, nothing’s more enjoyable than eating some cooling ice cream. Unfortunately, this summertime treat can be high in both calories and sugar. For a healthy swap, why not try yogurt popsicles? You can make this dessert yourself by using a popsicle mold, fresh fruit, and plenty of yogurt. Freeze and enjoy!



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Swap grilled cheese for avocado on toast

When you’re feeling lazy and want something quick and easy, a grilled cheese sandwich is usually the answer. Of course, if you’re trying to be healthy, cutting back on ultra-calorific cheese is a must. Why not try smashed avocado on toast? You can season this snack with either chili flakes or sea salt to add extra flavour.



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Make your burrito naked

Get the burrito flavour, packed full of the tasty, spiced goodness you love, but in a new way. Wave goodbye to the tortilla and serve your ingredients in a bowl. It’s is a smart move when it comes to your health. Pick fresh veggies, lean meat, and loads of different flavours to make a meal you’ll love.



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Ditch the cake for black bean brownies

Let them eat cake… or maybe not. If you’re a lover of all things sweet, dessert is certain to be your favourite part of any meal. Needless to say, most store-bought cakes are packed full of sugars, additives, and other no-nos. Make your own black bean brownies at home and enjoy a more wholesome, yet delicious dessert.



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Go bun-free when eating burgers

Have you ever thought about going bun-free? If you relish feasting on burgers, this small and simple change could have a big impact on your health. A brioche bun boasts around 290 calories. Getting rid of it and simply enjoying the grilled patty with some salad on the side is a smart move.



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Eat carrot dogs, not hot dogs

Ready for a cookout? Here’s a healthy alternative to everybody’s favourite barbequed food. Why not switch your frank for a grilled carrot? You can still top your dog with tasty sauces and extras, such as dried or grilled onions. Try experimenting with different flavours and toppings to see what works for you.



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Try a homemade mushroom burger

Burger fans will love this next alternative. Swap your burger bun for a grilled portobello mushroom and switch the patty for some smashed avocado. You can jazz this meal up with some salad, toppings, and even sauces. Plus, the meal is 100% vegan and vegetarian-friendly. What more could you want?



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Swap chips ‘n’ dip for hummus and veggies

Here’s a savvy way to sneak more veggies into your diet. If you’re a fan of chips ‘n’ dip, you might want to make some healthful diet swaps. Eating hummus and veggies will give you the same satisfaction, but with fewer calories and more vitamins. Chop up some fresh bell peppers, carrots, and even cucumber for this snack.



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Make your own popcorn

Popcorn is often hailed as a healthy snack! However, if you rely on store-bought options, you could find yourself consuming over 350 calories per 100 grams. Clearly, making your own popcorn at home is the way to go. After the kernels have popped, add either salt, cinnamon, or chili powder to flavour.



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Ditch milkshakes for avocado smoothies

Are you completely addicted to milkshakes? Here’s a health-conscious swap you need to make. Using avocado as the base for your fruit smoothie gives you the creamy texture of a milkshake, but with more goodness. Try an avocado and banana smoothie or perhaps an avocado and apple smoothie. The choice is yours!



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Use cauliflower as a pizza crust

If you adore the yummy taste of pizza, but hate the high calorie-count, we’ve got some news for you. Swapping a regular crust for a cauliflower alternative means that you get extra vegetables and fewer carbs. You can make your own crust by blitzing up some cauliflower, ringing out any water, and flattening it to make a base.



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Eat rice cakes with dark chocolate instead of cookies

Are you something of a cookie fiend? If you love their sweet, scrummy flavour, you probably find that you can’t get enough of them. Feasting on dark chocolate covered rice cakes, instead, is a clever way to improve your health. Coming in at around 80 calories per rice cake, you can’t go wrong here.



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Replace pasta with spiralized vegetables

Spaghetti and meatballs might be a delicious weeknight meal, but why not upgrade it to a healthier choice? Pasta comes in at more than 350 calories per 100 grams, but offers very little in terms of nutritional value. On the other hand, replacing it with spiralized vegetables means that you get extra vitamins and nutrients. Win-win.



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Feast on cauliflower “wings” instead of chicken wings

Who doesn’t love barbequed chicken wings? These deep-fried treats can be high in calories and fat, which is why you may want to give them a miss. Try steaming chunks of cauliflower and covering them in a homemade barbeque sauce. You can even serve them on a bed of white rice for a tempting meal.



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Drink fruit-infused water instead of soda

Soda is packed full of empty calories. Even lemonade can boast around 165 calories per can. If you’re looking for a way to get the sweet flavours you desire with fewer calories, why not try fruit-infused water? Simply put some water and ice in a glass and add the sliced fruit of your choice.



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Try frozen grapes rather than popsicles

Spoiler: Popsicles are packed full of sugar! While you can look for options that are made with fruit juice, it may be worth going another way entirely. Why not try freezing some grapes? Put some in the freezer for a few hours, then enjoy an ice-cold treat. You can even serve them with plain yogurt.



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Have apple slices instead of crackers

Cheese and crackers is a classic snack. However, there’s an easy way in which you can make this treat a whole load healthier. Substitute the crackers for some apple slices. The sweetness of the fruit cuts through the sharpness of the cheese for a really interesting taste combination. Give it a go.



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Switch white rice for “cauli rice”

White rice is high in calories at 148 per 100 grams, but doesn’t offer much else when it comes to nutrients. If you’d like to make this part of your meal more nutritious, why not try cooking up some cauliflower rice? Blend some cauliflower, get rid of any excess water, then steam or boil before serving.



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Stay alert with green tea rather than a latte

Is it time to ditch the latte? Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid which researchers say helps boost both focus and alertness. Switching from your regular coffee drink to this alternative reduces your milk consumption as well, which lowers your calorie intake. Bonus!



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Swap mashed potato for rutabaga mash

High in vitamin C, rutabagas are an incredibly versatile vegetable. Rather than having mashed potato with your next meal, why not try mashing up this root vegetable instead? You’ll get more vitamins from your meal. Try adding extra flavor by sprinkling on some sea salt or chili flakes.



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Have poached egg, not fried

How do you like your eggs in the morning? The way you cook your breakfast could make a big difference when it comes to your health. Put simply, a large poached egg contains around 72 calories while a fried egg contains closer to 90 calories. Changing your cooking method could eventually save you a load of calories.



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Switch mac ‘n’ cheese for cauliflower cheese

The next time you’re craving a bowl of mac ‘n’ cheese, why not make a slightly healthier choice? Choose cauliflower cheese instead and replace those carbs with some vegetables. Boil the cauliflower before cooking it in a light cheese sauce for the best results.



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Have a vegetable omelet, not a cheese omelet

Stop packing your omelets full of cheese! For a variety of flavour, why not choose some healthy vegetables for your next meal? For example, you could fill your omelet with some sliced up tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Try it for yourself.



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Try dehydrated banana chips instead of candy

If you happen to have a sweet tooth, managing your daily cravings can be tough. Luckily, there’s a way to get the sweetness you love without feeling too guilty. Munching on dehydrated banana chips, rather than candy, is a great choice for your health. You can buy them at most whole food stores and online, too.



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Enjoy bean chili rather than meat chili

Chili con carne is a warming wintertime dish! If you adore nothing more than tucking into this particular meal, why not switch things up a bit? You can swap the ground beef out for a five-bean mixture. Beans are an excellent plant-based source of protein. For instance, kidney beans have 1.8 grams of protein per 100 grams of beans. Nice.



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Replace toasted bread with grilled eggplant

Topping toast with cheese or veggies makes for a delicious snack. However, if you switch the bread for grilled eggplant slices, you’ll get even more out of this meal. Give it a whirl and try experimenting with different topping. For example, you may want to add some goat cheese and tomatoes to your dish. Enjoy!



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