Smart Food Substitutes

If you’re starting a diet program or trying to eat as healthy as possible over the holidays, one thing that you should consider is what you can use as food substitutes for some of the higher calorie items on your list. 

Many people often think that they need to do a complete diet overhaul in order to see good results from their fat loss program. However, this isn’t the case at all. As long as you keep a few key things in mind, you can very easily put together a diet plan that will satisfy your taste buds while helping you burn up body fat. 

The first trick is to always practice moderation.  After all, it’s your total calorie intake at the end of the day that’s going to matter most and if you are using moderate serving sizes, this will really help out in this regard. 

Second, it’s a good idea to think of smart food substitutes you can use that will easily allow you to satisfy your cravings without contributing too many additional fat and calories. 

Let’s look at a few for you to consider. 

Pasta For Spaghetti Squash 

First on our list of food substitutes is to exchange out your usual serving of pasta and go with some spaghetti squash instead.  Spaghetti squash has the same texture as regular pasta does, and while it will taste slightly different, it can easily be used instead of spaghetti noodles in your meatball or other pasta dishes. 

For the carb-lover who just can’t do away with their beloved plate of pasta, this can be the perfect solution. 

Oatmeal For Granola 

The next items on our list of food substitutes to consider is oatmeal instead of granola.  Store bought granola is often incredibly high in sugar, fat, and calories, so it should be avoided. 

Instead, toast your own oats.  Simply place them in a pan over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3-5 minutes. 

Add in some almonds, sunflower seeds, and any other nut or seed you desire and you’ll have your own home-made granola that’s much healthier. 

Cottage Cheese For Sour Cream 

Another quick food substitute that will easily improve the nutritional value of your diet is to exchange cottage cheese for some sour cream. 

Sour cream is very high in saturated fat and will add unnecessary calories to your daily intake. 

Go for cottage cheese instead.  It’s high in protein of the casein variety, so it will keep you feeling satisfied for a longer period of time. 

Frozen Bananas For Ice Cream 

The last of our smart food substitutes is frozen bananas. If you’re an ice cream lover who just can’t get past their craving, try frozen bananas instead.  These have a similar texture to that of ice cream but will obviously be fat free and high in potassium. 

They’ll also pack in some dietary fiber, so they will be far more filling than that bowl of ice cream as well. 

So there you have some smart food substitutes that you should be considering in your diet plan.  Rather than trying to make a complete diet overhaul, just keep these simple changes in mind and you’ll be headed towards success.