Make Your Recipes Healthier in 5 Easy Steps

Who says that healthy food needs to be tasteless and bland? Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to cook delicious meals and snacks that won’t add inches to your waistline. Simple food swaps, such as replacing cow’s milk with almond milk or sugar with stevia, can go a long way toward optimal health. It does take a little planning, but it’s totally worth the effort.

Ready to give your favorite recipes a makeover? With some creativity, you can have cake and still lose weight. Follow these five easy steps to make your recipes healthier:

Swap Chocolate for Cocoa

Addicted to chocolate? No problem! You can always replace your favorite milk chocolate with dark chocolate or raw cocoa. If a recipe calls for this ingredient, add cocoa powder, stevia, and nut milk. This way, you’ll save calories without comprising flavor.

Plus, dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants and healthy fats. It actually boasts higher levels of flavonoids and polyphenols than tea and wine. When consumed regularly, it may help prevent cancer, improve cardiovascular function, and slow down aging.

Ditch the Sugar

From stevia and cinnamon to pureed fruits, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your sweet tooth without reaching out for sugar. Stevia, for instance, is an all-natural sweetener extracted from the plant with the same name.

According to researchers, this healthy sugar substitute may inhibit cancer growth, induce cancer cell death, and reduce blood sugar levels. In the long run, it helps improve insulin response and blood lipid profile. Since it has zero calories, it’s perfect for those looking to shed fat.

Add it to your morning coffee, tea, and baked desserts. The flavor is amazing! Fruit purees and honey are healthy too, but their calorie content shouldn’t be overlooked.

Go Unrefined

Swap white flour, white rice, pasta, and cereals for whole, unrefined versions. Let’s say a cookie recipe calls for all purpose flour. Replace it with coconut, almond, or rye flour. You can also mix flax meal or oat bran with whole wheat flour. This way, you’ll get more fiber in your diet and prevent insulin spikes.

Wild, black, and red rice are excellent substitutes for white rice. If you’re on a low-carb diet, swap pasta for konjac noodles or zoodles. Avoid breakfast cereals at all costs since they’re loaded with sugar and food additives.

Cut Back on Fat

In general, baked goods require butter, margarine, sour cream, and other unhealthy fats. Replace these ingredients with coconut oil, Greek yogurt, or low-fat dairy. This helps reduce both fat and calories. Not to mention that it can dramatically lower your risk of stroke, heart disease, and high cholesterol.

Pay Attention to the Small Details

Does your favorite salad recipe call for croutons or bread crumbs? Use nuts or flaxseeds instead! You’ll get the same crunchy texture but without the extra carbs!

Salads, omelet, and homemade cookies will taste fantastic if you add some toasted walnuts, pecans, or almonds. These nuts are packed with fiber and healthy fats, keeping you full for hours.

As you see, there are plenty of ways to make your recipes healthier and more flavorful. All it takes is some creativity. If your goal is to lose weight, add a supplement to the mix. Garcinia Cambogia Black 95 keeps hunger at bay and increases fat burning. It works best when used as part of a balanced diet, so give it a try!