5 Satisfying Swaps for Your Favorite Junk Foods
It’s hard to pass up the double-stuffed chocolate cookies when they’re sitting in your cabinet. And why not finish that whole bag of potato chips while watching endless hours of Viceland?
You may buy Doritos and Oreos as a treat, thinking you’ll just eat them on occasion. But let’s be real; if junk foods are in your kitchen, you’re going to eat them. Sugary foods can be addicting, so you may also find yourself downing way more than a single portion in one sitting.
If you want to clean up your diet, you have to start by cleaning out your kitchen. Then, find healthy alternatives for the junk foods you crave.
Kitchen Clean Out Basics
Step 1: Look through all of your cabinets, as well as your refrigerator and freezer, for any foods that are expired and toss them. That’s an easy place to start.
Step 2: Throw away or donate anything you just aren’t eating. That protein powder might have felt like a good investment, but if you can’t stand the taste then there’s no use in keeping it.
Step 3: Read labels. If any of your packaged foods contain a list of ingredients you can’t pronounce or you identify as a chemical, it goes in the garbage or recycle bin.
Restock with Healthy Alternatives
The next step is to restock your kitchen so all of your go-to foods are also good for you. Below are 5 common junk foods and ways you can give them an instant upgrade…
Potato Chips: Opt for a salty, crunchy snack like plantain or sweet potato chips baked with coconut oil.
Ice Cream: Trade a sugar- and chemical-filled carton of ice cream for a dairy-free, coconut-based healthy alternative. Or, make banana ice cream in your blender. Check out this one-ingredient recipe from The Kitchn
Anything Chocolate: Instead of stocking up on candy bars and cookies, buy a dark chocolate bar and have 1-2 squares when you need a fix. You can even top it with a scoop of peanut butter to make it more filling.
Frozen Meals: Don’t spend money on premade frozen dinners. Spend a few hours over the weekend preparing your own simple soups, meatballs, and burgers. Freeze them in individual containers and have them ready when you need them. (Or, let me make them for you.)
Cereal: There are a lot of quick, energy-boosting breakfasts out there so there’s no need to turn to Frosted Flakes in a pinch. Get 23 protein shake recipes from Dr. Axe here. Plus, visit my gluten-free breakfast blog for more ideas.
Need more help finding healthy alternatives? Contact @OfficialChefT on Instagram to learn how I can help you clean out your kitchen and Eat with a Purpose.