You love the flavor of pasta but not the carbs. Or meat—how can something as delicious as ground beef be so, so bad for you?
Such is life for the healthy eater. Doctors make it clear: Some everyday dining staples just aren’t good for you, no matter how good they taste.
But feat not, healthy eaters: There are ways to substitute those foods loaded with unhealthy fats, carbohydrates and calories for healthier foods. And these are foods that taste as great and will almost make you forget about all those foods you’re forgoing in favor of reaching your weight loss goals.
Here’s a look at seven healthy substitutes for everyday eating:
Ground turkey. It’s lean and high in protein. It tastes as good (if not better) than ground beef. And best of all, it can be used to make turkey burgers, spaghetti sauce and even meatloaf.
Chicken sausage. Who doesn’t love to grill a brat on a hot summer afternoon? Well, if you’re worried about calories, sodium, and cholesterol, you might want to swap the brat for a delicious chicken sausage. They have less fat, fewer calories, and a lot less sodium than brats.
Lettuce. Anything that can be wrapped in a tortilla or a piece of bread can also be wrapped in lettuce. That’s right: tacos, burritos and even your breakfast sandwich. Try it. You’ll eat fewer carbs.
Eggplant. This strange-looking vegetable is a great meat substitute. Mostly because it tastes so good you’ll hardly miss the meat. But also because it’s full of fiber, vitamin B1, and lots of other good stuff.
Eggs. Like chicken and turkey, eggs are loaded with protein. But unlike their lean-meat counterparts, they only have about 80 calories each.
Trail mix. When you’re in the mood for something sweet and a little salty, put down that candy bar and make your own trail mix. Use nuts and dried fruits. Your body will thank you.
Chicken soup. It’s good for a lot of reasons. But it’s most useful when you’re craving pasta. Make it just right and you might even forget about spaghetti.
