Are you tired of not being able to eat what you want? Do you feel like a bit of a rabbit when eating your side salad? Well, there's a world of healthy foods out there that will have your taste buds tricked into thinking you're eating junk food. Enjoy these foods as much (well, almost) as you like, for great taste and texture, without risking your health or weight!
Homemade Popcorn
Fresh, homemade popcorn is so much healthier than store-bought or microwaveable packets. And with homemade popcorn, you get to season it as you like! My favorite is salt, butter, and a lot of nutritional yeast. Just try it, it's delicious!
Nice Cream
If you've been staying away from ice cream because it's too sweet and calorie-dense, try nice cream - the healthier and slimming sister to ice cream. Made from frozen fruit with no added sugar, it has a similar texture and super delicious taste. You can make it from pineapple, banana, and even plum!
Get a recipe for Pineapple Nice Cream here.
Smoothies
If you have a love for juices, give smoothies a try. They're also made from fruits and veggies but pack in a lot more fiber content than juices, which makes them healtheir.
Get the recipe for Blueberry Smoothie.
Sweet Potato Chips
Potato chips can be addictive. There's just something about munching on crispy, fried potato chips. Our hands develop a mind of their own and next thing you know, they're all gone! But please, get your hand out of that packet and try sweet potato chips instead. All of the crunch, but a little bit better for you!
Get the recipe for sweet potato chips.
Hummus
This chickpea and tahini-based dip is super delicious and protein-rich (thanks to the legume). You can make it fresh at home, but store-bought is usually quite good for you, as well. And you can even get it in different flavors! From roasted red pepper hummus to herby avocado; they're all very tasty.
Berries
Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are all so delicious and healthy. Plus, the antioxidants in them are said to be super good for you. Not to mention they're ultra snackable, and a great substitute for a bag of candy. It's a win-win!
Guacamole
Avocado is the primary ingredient in guacamole and contains healthy fats, and is also so tasty. While you can eat guac alone, it tastes great as a dip with baked tortilla chips or pita bread. Easy on the quantity though - even healthy stuff is only healthy when eaten in moderation, and avocados do contain a lot of fat.Â
Roasted Potatoes
Contrary to popular opinion, potatoes aren't bad for you if you bake or boil them, and especially if you eat them with the skin on. This is the part with the most fiber (and flavor!).
For an even healthier option, cook the potatoes in the air fryer. You need less oil for the same crisp, and the result is perfect!
Get the recipe for Air Fryer Potato Wedges.
Lentil Soup
Lentils contain fiber, potassium, and folate- essential for a well-balanced nutritional diet. And you can make it taste delicious by adding spices and veggies. Plus it's SO easy to meal prep: just cook it, pack small portions, and freeze them. Need any more convincing?
Dark Chocolate
If you have a sweet tooth and love chocolate, try dark chocolate instead. Sure, the bitterness will take some getting used to, but you can work your way up from 60% dark to 70%, 80%, and maybe even 90%. Plus, there are plenty of recipes with dark chocolate that are delicious. For instance, dark chocolate peanut butter truffles taste divine. Fun fact: Did you know dark chocolate is heart-healthy? Yep, you're welcome!
Mangoes
Rich in vitamins A and C and antioxidants, mangoes are in a league of their own. If you're lucky enough to get fresh mangoes, eat them without guilt. You can also cut them up and dry them in the oven to make yummy finger food. Their sweet taste will beat most desserts any day of the week.Â
Nuts
Almonds, pistachios, peanuts, and cashew nuts - all these savory snacks pack in so many nutrients. And if you want to make them even more delicious, go for roasted varieties with even more flavor.
Source: National Library of Medicine
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