Comfort food can be an absolute diet killer. When the day is rough and you’re trying to unwind and take your mind off of things, few foods hit the spot like pizza or french fries. That can be a tough enemy for people on strict diets desperately trying to shake the extra weight.
EMERGENCY SLEEPING BAG GIFThe good news for people struggling with the temptation of comfort food is that there are a number of healthy alternatives to these foods. They might take you a little bit to get used to as the high-fat, high-carb alternatives you used to are still stuck fresh in your mind.
Still, these are great alternatives and if you’re serious about your diet, it’s worth sticking through any initial differences that might be rubbing you the wrong way. Once you start on these healthier alternatives to classic comfort foods, you’re going to be glad that you did as your waistline shrinks and the number on the scale goes down.
Sweet Potato Fries
Is there anyone alive who doesn’t love french fries? If there is, we’re not sure that we want to know them. This can be a super hard thing to replace, because what’s a burger without french fries?
Well, the typical french fries that you get at a fast food place or even the frozen ones that you buy in a big bag at the supermarket are some of the absolute worst things you can eat. So looking for a replacement is a really good idea.
Fortunately, sweet potato french fries not only scratch that itch, but they’re also super delicious and can be made easily at home in your oven without the deep frying that makes french fries such a toxic choice for dieters.
Greek Yogurt Parfait
Greek yogurt is something of a secret weapon for dieters and bodybuilders alike. It’s relatively inexpensive and it has great macros for dieters, especially if you opt for low-fat or fat-free versions.
There’s not much you can’t do with Greek yogurt. Even just throwing some protein powder into it and mixing it around makes for a delicious, ice-cream-like snack. Take some of that and layer it with your favorite fruits and berries and you’re not going to miss ice cream for very long.
Best of all, because it’s so high in protein it will help you with an overall feeling of satiation or “fullness.” That’s one of the best kinds of snacks you can find.
Pretzels
You weren’t expecting to see this one on the list, were you? Well, here they are. You have to get a good brand that doesn’t have a lot of seed oils or polyunsaturated fats in it. Fortunately, there are tons of inexpensive and organic versions of pretzels down at the local supermarket for you to buy.
They have to be consumed in moderation, but they’re usually a lot healthier than potato chips or even the potato chip alternatives made up of… whatever that generally isn’t a lot healthier than the actual potato chip itself. Pretzels have long been a secret of bodybuilders looking for a salty, crunchy snack who don’t want the unhealthy macros of potato chips.
Popcorn With Herbs
Popcorn is another snack that people pass up because they assume it’s going to be unhealthy. This might actually be true if you’re talking about the mass-marketed, pre-bagged, processed popcorn you see on the shelves at your local supermarket. However, for popcorn made at home… it’s a whole other story.
Of course, no one wants to have plain popcorn, and slathering your popcorn in butter is a great way to offset all the healthy benefits of homemade popcorn. So consider instead using herbs and some salt for a tasty, savory snack.
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast is another great snack to have if you’re on a diet. Avocados are a great source of healthy fats and if you pair it with some healthy bread, you’re not going to offset your diet too much. Again, the trick here is moderation, but throwing some avocado and lime on top of a piece of toast is a tasty treat that’s going to keep you on track.
There’s no reason that you have to suffer if you’re on a diet. You might have to change things around a bit, but ultimately, if you’re eating properly, you’re going to feel fully fed even while dieting. Hopefully, some of these snacks make- it easier for you to stay on track when it comes to your diet.