
Healthy Food Swaps
The key to living a healthier lifestyle is to replace unhealthy foods with nutritious alternatives. This can be done by switching from fatty cheeses to a low-fat version, or by eating wholegrain cereal instead of refined grains. These are just a few of the many healthy food swaps you can make.
Cauliflower rice
If you’re looking for a way to add a lot of vegetables to your diet, consider replacing white rice with cauliflower. Cauliflower has the same texture and taste as rice and is very high in fiber. It’s also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate.
There are many recipes that feature cauliflower rice. You can make it with frozen vegetables and spices to create a nutritious meal. Or you can cook it up in the oven.
You can even microwave it if you don’t have a food processor. Cauliflower rice is also a good choice for anyone on a gluten-free diet.
A study conducted in Connecticut found that interest in cauliflower rice increased during the first half of 2014. This means that it is a great option to add to your diet.
Another cool thing about cauliflower is that it has a mild flavor. In fact, it has a taste that’s similar to cabbage. The key is to season it properly. Using a few spices like garlic, chili peppers, and olive oil will give it the right amount of kick.
Quinoa
If you’re looking to cut back on carbs, one easy way to do so is to swap out your rice for quinoa. Quinoa is a grain that contains high amounts of protein, as well as fiber. You can use it in soups, salads, and more.
Aside from being gluten-free, quinoa is also rich in antioxidants, and can help keep your digestive system working smoothly. Several studies have found that it can help to improve your insulin response, which may prevent you from gaining excess weight.
The seeds of the quinoa plant contain a healthy amount of fiber, which helps your body absorb nutrients and prevent constipation. This can also help prevent other digestive problems, such as hemorrhoids and diverticulitis.
Although quinoa is an excellent food for people with digestive problems, it can also be a healthy substitute for other types of carbohydrates. In fact, it can be added to many recipes to add more protein and fiber.
If you’re on a gluten-free diet, quinoa is an especially good substitute for white rice. However, you’ll want to rinse it at home before cooking. It’s best to rinse the grain in a fine-mesh sieve to remove the saponin coating that can leave a soapy taste.
Kiwis
Whether you are lucky enough to get your hands on a kiwi or two, you may be surprised to find out that you can’t compost the skin. On the other hand, you can chop it up and use it as a garnish or ingredient in a number of recipes from risotto to samosas. This nifty little fruit also happens to have one of the highest caloric counts in its native state. Having said that, if you are in the market for a new kiwi, you might as well go for the good stuff.
Not only are kiwis among the best tasting fruits around, they are a fun to munch on. One study compared the taste of an ordinary kiwi to that of a kiwi made from the more expensive variety. The results were a surprisingly close match. In the end, the winner was a kiwi smothered in a blend of kiwi, pineapple, and banana. It’s no secret that kiwis are a tasty treat and that’s the main reason you want to get your hands on some.
Nuts
Nuts are a great way to up your daily fiber intake. They also provide vitamins and minerals. Choosing the right nuts is important if you want to reap all the health benefits this nutritious snack can provide. Of course, you don’t want to overdo it. It’s better to have a handful of healthy nuts than to overindulge in the unhealthful varieties.
There are many pitfalls to avoid if you’re on a quest to improve your health. However, if you’re willing to do the hard work, you can improve your waistline and overall health. The good news is that it isn’t as hard as you’d think. All it takes is a little planning and preparation. From there, you can enjoy a long and happy life.
In the end, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to swap out your favorite treats for something more nutritious. For example, swapping out your butter and cheese jacket potatoes for reduced salt and sugar baked beans is a no brainer. Or, just substitute rice cakes for chips.
Reduced-fat cheese
Whether you’re watching your cholesterol, trying to lose weight, or just looking to avoid high-fat foods, you can find a variety of cheeses that can fit into your diet. Some of these are low-fat, others are vegan, and a few are naturally lower in fat.
Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium. But it also has a lot of saturated fat and sodium, making it a good idea to watch your intake of these ingredients. You can replace some of them with less-fat alternatives, such as ricotta, cottage cheese, or Greek yoghurt.
When it comes to deciding which cheeses are healthy, it’s best to look at the whole nutritional picture. If you’re trying to eat healthier, you should research the nutritional content of the cheeses you’re considering, and make sure you choose the freshest-made version.
There are a variety of cheeses that can be made with reduced-fat ingredients, such as creme fraiche or reduced-fat soured cream. These are both lower in fat than their full-fat versions, and can be mixed with other healthy ingredients to create a tasty snack.
Wholegrain cereal
Wholegrain cereal is a healthy food swap that can be a great part of your daily diet. It can reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other health conditions. In fact, researchers have found that wholegrains can improve digestion, reduce your risk of obesity, and protect you from certain cancers.
You can make a healthier breakfast by replacing your frosted cereal with a wholegrain one. Adding fruit to your breakfast can also help balance out the sweetness.
A serving of wholegrain cereal has 3g of fiber and protein per serving. This may not be easy to calculate, but a lower carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio is a better measure of overall dietary glycemic index.
One study found that eating a diet rich in whole grains reduced your risk of type 2 diabetes by almost 20%. Another study showed that wholegrains were associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease, diverticular disease, and cancer.
There are many kinds of breakfast cereal. Choose one that has wholegrains as the first ingredient. Other options include rolled oats, brown rice, wheatgerm, or puffed whole grain.
Cacao powder
If you’re on the lookout for a healthier chocolate alternative, cacao powder may be the answer. Not only does it taste good, it is also chock full of nutrients, antioxidants, and other health-boosting compounds. It can be used to make a variety of recipes from healthy breakfast cereals to desserts.
Cacao is a superfood. It contains flavonoids and other nutrients that help improve blood flow and may lower your risk for some cancers. Plus, it helps regulate your blood sugar. A study suggests that consuming cacao may lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
The main ingredient in cocoa and cacao powder is the seeds of the cacao bean. These seeds are ground into a fine powder. In addition to containing a variety of beneficial compounds, they are also a source of iron, magnesium, and tryptophan.
As a result, cacao is considered to be the best alternative to chocolate. You can add it to your smoothies, hot chocolate, or even oatmeal to boost your health and taste buds.
Cacao powder is also a natural skincare product. You can make a mask from the beans or a scented candle.
Matcha
Matcha tea is a great food swap if you’re looking to reduce toxins in your body. It’s loaded with antioxidants and amino acids that have been proven to support the immune system, fight disease, and protect against chronic illness.
In addition to its antioxidant benefits, matcha contains L-theanine, a natural amino acid that has been shown to reduce stress. This amino acid also improves cognitive health. Moreover, it boosts your concentration, promotes relaxation, and enhances memory.
The caffeine content in matcha is a little more than that found in regular green tea. However, this amount is not enough to cause jitters. So, it should be taken in moderation.
Matcha also has more chlorophyll than other green teas. Chlorophyll is a powerful detoxifier that clears out your body of toxins and heavy metals.
Also, it has more catechins than red wine. These powerful antioxidants are known to fight inflammation, help with weight loss, and even prevent heart disease.
In fact, matcha is believed to be the highest-quality green tea, and it has been consumed for thousands of years in Eastern Asia. Although more research is needed to fully understand its effects, it is promising.