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Comfort food is the best. It makes you feel good, it tastes good, but the problem is that it’s usually a bit naughty too, high in fat, calories, carbs, etc. because that combination is just irresistible. Some of our most-loved family dinners are calorific which is very annoying. But what if you could have comfort food and still lose weight or just not put it on depending on what your goals are?
There are a few helpful tips you can use so you can still enjoy your favorites.
Don’t Use Too Much Oil
This is quite an important one as it’s easy to get carried away and use far too much than you actually need. When you’re cooking or frying try to measure the amount of oil you use, keeping it to roughly one teaspoon a person as this can significantly reduce the calorie content of your final dish.
Include At Least One Portion Of Vegetables
Whatever you’re eating, try to have at least one, if not two portions of vegetables with it so that you boost the fiber and nutrient content of your meal, which will keep you full and satisfied, without adding too much to the calorie content.
Swap Meat For Plant Alternatives
You could try a “Meat-Free Monday,” which will help to you boost the fiber content of your meals or include more beans, nuts, and pulses in your meals – bean burgers, for example, are delicious but low in calories and still go very well with a nice bottle of wine.
Grate Your Cheese
Grating your cheese helps it to go a little further, and you can sprinkle it all over your dish and reduce the calorie content of your meal.
Swap creamy sauces for tomato-based sauces
This isn’t always possible, but when it comes to curries and pasta dishes, you can certainly do it.
Use more herbs and spices
Herbs and spices will flavor your dish enabling you to leave out the butter and salt in recipes. Experimenting with new flavors can be interesting too, giving your taste buds something different to enjoy.
Use Vegetable Replacements
Have you tried courgetti instead of spaghetti? Cauliflower rice instead of regular rice? Butternut Squash chips or lasagne sheets? There are so many ways of doing this, and it means you include more vegetables by replacing something else, but you don’t feel like you’re missing out. Have a look around, find some recipes for your favorite meals and see how you can make them just that little bit healthier.
A few quick and easy meal ideas for comforting yet healthy meals are, soup – always makes you feel warm and satisfied, Homemade pizza can be created with a cauliflower base, a pita bread or a wholemeal wrap. Top it with tons of vegetables, and some grated cheese and voila! You have a healthy pizza. Then you can’t go wrong with a healthy but yummy stir-fry, it is one of the simplest healthy meals you can make. Add some vegetables like baby corn, onion, peppers or green beans, then toss some chicken, fish, prawns or tofu and nuts to make sure you’re getting some protein and iron in there too. To flavor, you could also add peanut butter or a few splashes of soy sauce.
Try Fakeaways
Ever heard of a fakeaway? Search online to find your favorites; it’s basically a version of your favorite takeaway but a healthy one. We all know we can make homemade curries, but what about a homemade KFC? Some salt and pepper chicken just like the one from your favorite Chinese place? Some chicken satay or Chinese BBQ Pork? They can all be done and in a healthy way without compromising on the taste. The only real difference is that you have to make them yourself. However that way you’ll know exactly what’s going into your food and you can really enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Desserts
Desserts don’t have to be calorific either. Try a meringue nest topped with a spoonful of yoghurt and some fruit. It will quickly satisfy your sweet tooth and won’t make you feel full and guilty. Or if that doesn’t take your fancy, what about these gooey, chewy brownies are unbelievably easy to make. They’re made from only three ingredients and are Dairy-Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Grain-Free, Keto approved, Low Carb, Low Sugar, Paleo and Whole 30 approved. You can’t go wrong.
What other tips have you tried when making your favorite comfort foods healthier, let us know in the comments below!
