Healthy Food Hacks You Need in Your Life
By Sara Butler
It's been said that you can't have your cake and eat it too, but that may not be completely accurate. If you know just a few healthy food hacks, you may be able to up your nutrient intake while treating yourself. Here are a few of the handiest healthy eating facts out there that can help you indulge while offering benefits to your health and wellness.
Instead of Sour Cream, Go for Plain Greek Yogurt
Who doesn't love a little dollop of sour cream on their chili or burrito? Sour cream also forms the base for party dips, but it's high in fat and in calories. In fact, two tablespoons of sour cream have about 60 calories, which may not seem like a lot but can really add up!
Plain Greek yogurt should be your new go-to. A quarter-cup has half the calories of sour cream and goes a lot further. It's also high in calcium and a substitution that you probably won't even notice.
Instead of Heavy Cream, Choose Aquafaba
You're probably wondering what on earth aquafaba is, but the truth is you've probably seen or used it before! Aquafaba is the fluid left behind in a can of chickpeas or the water used to boil dry chickpeas. It's a popular alternative in the vegan world as a substitution for heavy cream, eggs, and dairy. Aquafaba has only about five calories per tablespoon without adding any fat, carbohydrates, or protein to what you're eating.
Instead of Carbohydrates, Go for Cauliflower
Cauliflower has seen some renewed interest lately and for a good reason -- it's a great substitute for rice and other heavy carbohydrates in dishes. Plus, it's packed full of Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and fiber to help keep you healthy. To top it all off, one cup of cauliflower has only 27 calories, which can help you cut calories in everything from rice dishes to mashed potatoes.
Instead of Butter, Add Avocado
Butter makes baked goods very tasty, but it's full of fat and calories. To help make your more indulgent recipes a little healthier, try adding some avocado in place of butter. This can save you about 75 calories per tablespoon of avocado you use in place of butter.
Avocados are a healthy monounsaturated fat too, which can help provide you with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals you simply can't find in butter. The best part is that in most foods, you won't even notice the swap!
Healthy food swaps are easier than you think and will pay off with better health in the long run!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Shiloh, Ill.