Comfort Food Made Healthier

By Donna Stark

It seems like all we want to do during the winter months is to eat our favorite classic comfort foods. From a bowl of chicken noodle soup to a sloppy joe sandwich, the best meals are warm and come from the heart. Unfortunately, no matter how much "love" these meals are made with, that love doesn't take away the number of unhealthy ingredients found in these recipes. If your goal is to stay healthy during these crazy cold months, take a look at the following suggestions. They are sure to help make your favorite classics healthier! 

Chicken Noodle Soup

A simple bowl of chicken noodle soup seems to solve all of life's problems, but after taking a closer look at the never-ending list of unpronounceable ingredients, it may be time to make a homemade version with nature's finest and most healing ingredients. What are they? Well, after adding your favorite vegetables and chicken to the broth, toss in a tablespoon of freshly grated ginger and a tablespoon of freshly grated turmeric. These anti-inflammatory ingredients will get you back on your feet in no time. 

Sloppy Joes

The sweet tang of the sauce, the heated buns, the fun mess left on the plate ... there is nothing like serving the classic sloppy joe for dinner. But let's make it a little healthier, shall we? Instead of using ground beef, try using lean ground turkey, and instead of using the canned sauce, opt for simple ingredients at home. These are all easy switches to make that won't impact the taste or everyone's love for this sandwich! Try it out!

Macaroni and Cheese

Want a yummy side dish to go with your healthier sloppy joes? How about macaroni and cheese? Only this time, skip that famous boxed macaroni and cheese you grew up on and make your own. Although this homemade version may sound odd at first, it's definitely a "don't judge a book by its cover" moment. While your pot of macaroni noodles is cooking, puree some cooked butternut squash and then add your favorite grated cheese. Mix this healthier cheese sauce with your cooked noodles for the perfect sloppy joe side dish. It's so good, even the pickiest of eaters will chow down!

Filling Your Meals With Love

No matter how many substitutions you make with your meals, the one thing that will never change is the amount of love you put into them. So, go ahead and try these yummy, healthier versions of your favorite meals and make everyone's stomach happy! 

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Greeley, Colo.