Healthy Alternatives to Junk Food can be an easy transition. You might be asking yourself what can I eat besides salad if I need a snack? Start making healthier choices without having to sacrifice flavor with these tasty junk food alternatives.
If you’re trying to make healthier lifestyle decisions but still crave the taste of your favorite snacks, then you’ll want to check out these delicious junk food alternatives. Each of these options gives you all the flavor with fewer calories and fat, making it easier for you to stay on track with your health goals.
Sliced Veggies Instead of Potato Chips
Veggies are the perfect low-calorie alternative to chips, providing a much-needed dose of vitamins and minerals. Try thinly slicing carrots or zucchini into triangles and roasting them in the oven for 15 minutes with a light drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt – you won’t even miss those classic potato chips!
Air Popped Popcorn Instead of Chocolate Bars
Who doesn’t love chocolate? But when you’re looking for a low-calorie junk food option, nothing beats popcorn. Air-popped popcorn is packed with essential nutrients and is just as delicious as its sugary counterpart. Try adding some dried herbs or spices to make your popcorn extra tasty or drizzle it with melted dark chocolate for a healthier version of the classic sweet treat.
Homemade Popsicles Instead of Ice Cream Sandwiches
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a refreshing homemade popsicle. Blend frozen fruit like mangoes, bananas, or berries with some non-dairy milk for a delicious and creamy treat. Alternatively, you can mix fresh fruits with honey and freeze them for an even sweeter snack. Making your own popsicles is also an excellent way to reduce the amount of sugar you’re consuming compared to traditional ice cream sandwiches.
Protein Pancakes Instead of Doughnuts
Substitute your regular sugar-filled doughnuts for protein pancakes for a healthier snack. Start by mixing protein powder, oat flour, and egg whites together to get an easy batter. Then cook in a lightly greased pan or on an electric griddle and you’ll have sweet and savory protein pancakes in no time! To make them even more delicious, top them with fresh fruits like bananas or blueberries and a light drizzle of honey.
Baked Plantain Chips Instead of Cheese Puffs
For a healthier alternative to cheese puffs, try baking plantain chips. This easy-to-make snack is low in calories but still packed with flavor and crunch. Slice up a ripe yellow or black plantain and lightly toss it in olive oil, garlic powder, and your preferred seasonings. Then bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes and enjoy. Baked plantain chips offer a lower-fat alternative to traditional fried plantain chips and have the added benefit of being rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, they are high in potassium and low in sodium, making them a healthier choice than most other processed snacks.
Greek Yogurt and Berries Instead of Ice cream and Cookies
Greek yogurt is a great source of protein and is filled with probiotics, making it the perfect snack option. Topping it off with some fresh or frozen berries makes it even tastier. Berries are packed with powerful antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Even better is homemade greek yogurt which is easy to prepare.
Raw Nuts instead of Roasted Nuts
Raw nuts provide healthy fats, fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals to keep you full in between meals. Almonds are especially chock-full of nutrients and make for a perfect on-the-go snack.
Cottage Cheese & Tomatoes Instead of Whipped Cream and Fruit
Cottage cheese is loaded with calcium and high in protein – the perfect combination to keep your muscles strong while providing vital energy to sustain you throughout the day. Pair cottage cheese with tomatoes for an added dose of lycopene (an antioxidant-filled red pigment) as well as vitamin C and potassium. You can even make this a great diet meal with a baked, lean hamburger patty!
Avocado Toast instead of Cakes and Pastries
Avocado toast is a classic snack that is both delicious and nutritious! Avocados contain a wealth of healthy fats that can help regulate blood sugar levels and fight heart disease, while whole grain bread provides fiber to boost digestion along with complex carbs for energy. Top off your avocado toast with some nutritional yeast, sea salt, freshly cracked pepper, or an egg for extra nutrition. Avocados also provide a healthy source of Omega 3s.
Hummus & Veggies instead of Chips & Dips
Hummus is made from chickpeas, an excellent source of dietary fiber that can promote gut health by increasing movement along the digestive tract due to its prebiotic content – plus it contains other essential vitamins like iron. Enjoy it alongside veggies for maximum benefits such as beta carotene from carrots or Vitamin E from bell peppers.
Chocolate Oatmeal Bites instead of Chocolate Chip Cookies
These chocolate oatmeal bites offer a yummy mix of sweet indulgence coupled with wholesome ingredients like oats – which are filled with dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates to give long-lasting fuel throughout the day – plus cocoa powder (which boasts ample flavonoids that may support overall heart health). This quick snack takes minutes to whip up before enjoying this tasty treat whenever your sweet tooth calls for it!
Toasted Coconut Flakes instead of Potato Chips
Toast coconut flakes in the oven for an easy snack that everyone will enjoy – much more interesting than plain raw coconuts! Not only do they offer a unique texture, but they also contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are a type of healthy fat that can provide a boost of energy while helping with weight management. Coconut flakes are also high in fiber, making them an ideal snack as they help keep you fuller for longer. In addition, coconut flakes contain several vitamins and minerals making them a great way to get your daily nutrition requirements in. Eating coconut flakes can help sustain optimal energy production, improve one’s brain functionality, and fight hunger cravings, making them the perfect snack choice all day long. Top your favorite yogurt or oatmeal with some of these crunchy flakes for a nutritious treat that will leave you feeling satisfied.
Healthy Snack Alternatives Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
In addition, there are many healthy snack alternatives rich in omega-3 fatty acids including foods such as walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and salmon. Other healthy snacks containing high amounts of omega-3s are plant-based protein replacements, like edamame and tofu, as well as avocados, kale chips, hummus with vegetables or whole grain crackers, nut & seed trail mixes, as well as spinach artichoke dip.
In Conclusion, Healthy Alternatives to Junk Food
In conclusion, healthy alternatives to junk food provide your body with the nutrition it needs without compromising your health goals. Making a healthy choice when it comes to snacking is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Snacks can provide essential energy and nutrients, but eating junk food regularly can lead to health problems such as weight gain, poor nutrition, and even long-term illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. Fortunately, there are many healthy alternatives available to traditional junk foods. Popular options include fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, dairy products like yogurt or cottage cheese, whole grain snacks such as granola bars or popcorn, and protein-rich snacks like boiled eggs or string cheese.
Read more about Omega 3s here.
Read more health tips for adults here.
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Eating unhealthy junk food can leave you feeling sluggish and tired, but there are healthier alternatives that can satisfy a craving for junk food. Some healthy snacks include whole-grain crackers with nut butter, homemade trail mix, roasted chickpeas, frozen grapes, dark chocolate-covered walnuts, or a smoothie bowl.
