So you want to start eating healthier and cleaner? You’re not going to master clean eating in a day. Try these simple healthy swaps to get you started towards eating a cleaner diet. Here are ten healthy swaps for clean eating.
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Avocado for Mayo
Skip out on the mayonnaise and choose to use avocado on your sandwich instead. Avocado will replace saturated fats with healthy fats. Avocados aren’t full of preservatives and will greatly benefit your body instead! Using avocado as a replacement for any spread on your sandwich or even a burger is an easy change to make.
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Sweet Potatoes for White Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with more nutrients and vitamins than your typical white potatoes. They’re sweet and savory flavor make them enjoyable to eat. You can slice them up to make sweet potato fries or bake one to enjoy as a baked sweet potato. Restaurants tend to overload baked sweet potatoes with marshmallows and cinnamon butter, so be sure to keep that in mind the next time you order one in case you are looking to avoid the extra sugar.
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Coconut Oil for Butter
Coconut oil is a great healthy substitute for most recipes that call for butter, margarine, shortening, or oil. In liquid form it subs at a 1:1 ratio. Use coconut oil to cook your favorite desserts like brownies or cookies. It’s great to use for frying and cooking oil as well! Use coconut oil the next time you roast or stir fry vegetables for your next meal.
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Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream
Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for sour cream. Instead of using sour cream for your chip dips choose Greek yogurt instead. Sour cream is higher in fat and carbs. Greek Yogurt provides you with more protein and less calories. It also has a similar thick texture and tang that sour cream has. Use Greek Yogurt as a replacement for your sour cream dip for raw veggies.
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Oatmeal for Cereal
Choosing a warm, savory bowl of whole grain oatmeal is a healthier alternative to a sugary bowl of cereal. Add your favorite nut butter and fruits to make it even more filling and delicious. To avoid the added sugar avoid using instant oats, and make your own bowl of oatmeal instead.
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Walnuts for Croutons
Looking for that crunch in your salad? Walnuts are the perfect substitute for croutons filled with carbs. They offer the same crunch, but more nutritional benefits that a crouton will. Not a fan of walnuts? Try adding almonds or pecans into your next salad.
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Dark Chocolate for Milk Chocolate
Everyone needs to keep chocolate in their life. When it comes to milk or dark chocolate choose the dark chocolate. Look for chocolate that is at least 60 percent cocoa. Dark chocolate is full of healthy antioxidants as long as it’s eaten in moderation!
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Applesauce for Cooking Oil
Many of your favorite recipes call for cups of oil to make that cookie or bread recipe. Try using unsweetened applesauce to replace your oil. Applesauce contains the moisture needed as well as a sweet flavor with added fiber. Applesauce is best to replace in recipes in baked goods that are already moist and dense such as cakes, breads, and muffins.
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Fruit Infused Water for Fruit Juice
Instead of drinking liquid sugar that’s labeled as fruit juice, make a healthy swap by infusing your fruit with water. Buy fresh lemons, strawberries, cucumbers, mint, and add some slices into your water. It’ll add a refreshing and fruity flavor to your water! Keep a pitcher on hand in your fridge, so you have it readily available.
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Corn Tortilla for Flour Tortilla
Instead of using a flour tortilla, choose corn tortillas. Flour tortillas have more sugar and sodium than fiber filled corn tortillas. Most corn tortillas are smaller in size so be careful not to overload on them at your next meal.
These simple, healthy swaps are easy changes to make into your diet to cut back on unnecessary calories and to give you more nutritious options. You’ll be amazed at how easy they changes are to make and will be loving the benefits of eating cleaner!
Skylar Starbuck is a 22 year old college student who has a passion for leading an overall healthy lifestyle. Before going off to college Skylar had always been involved in year round athletics in school, so her personal fitness journey began her freshman year of college. She then realized that it was now up to her to take care of her physical... Read More
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