Eat THIS Not THAT!

[HeatherHitchmanArt]

I thought it might be neat to start a thread of healthy food exchanges that satisfy our naughty cravings without going calorie crazy!

[HeatherHitchmanArt]

A big one for me, LEMONADE.
When we diet we often forget that drinking calories and sugar is just as bad as eating them. (sorry all you starbucks fans) But here is a healthier option i now love.

DONT DRINK: Lemonade
DO DRINK: Lemonade Vitamin Water ZERO

It tastes just like it and has zero sugar and calories, plus it has vitamins! Delish!

[Former_Member]

I am a big peanut butter fan so I was addicted to peanut butter cups before I changed my diet. When my doctor told me I couldn't have sugar I went through serious withdrawals, headaches, mood swings. Then I found a solution.

Firstly, Blue Bunny No sugar added Bunny Tracks icecream. It's a vanilla ice cream with peanut butter and chocolate swirls. I die for this stuff. It does have a little fat and a tiny bit of natural sugar from the peanut butter so I only eat about a half a cup at a time but that totally takes away the cravings.

Secondly, Peanut butter sandwiches on whole wheat bread. I take a piece of whole wheat high fiber bread and spread on a little organic unsweetened peanut butter. Did you know that peanut butter and bread when consumed together form a complete protein? I didn't until I read in my anatomy book that it did. Super cool right?

Hope this helped y'all!

[HeatherHitchmanArt]

thanks virtuebathandbeauty!
I too am addicted to Blue Bunny No sugar added ice creams! Lovely deserts without so much gilt.

[Former_Member]

Good idea for a thread!

I sub things a lot. My favorite one is quinoa. I sub it when I'm making a recipe that calls for rice :) It's DELICIOUS!!!

[Former_Member]

i like to bake muffins, and i always sub applesauce in for oil. they might stick to the paper/pan a little more than with oil, but they taste great. :)

[Former_Member]

Along with baking substitutions, yogurt works well in place of butter! Here is the math on that:

http://mychickaboom.blogspot.com/2009/03/baking-tip-yogurt-for-butter.html

[VintageEye]

I bake with yogurt instead of milk. I add wheat germ to muffin recipes & sprinkle it on my oat bran in the morning. I put sweet potatoes in everything..
mashed in muffins, cooked then sliced cold over salads, mixed in hot cereal...are super tasty & super nutritious!

[VintageEye]

I almost forget this amazing idea from @autumn_olive aka crabapplevintage! Roasted cauliflower! Wash, cut & arrange in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil & season as you like. Bake at 400 for 20-30 minutes...tastes sinfully rich & delicious!

[HeatherHitchmanArt]

yesterday instead of typical Microwave Popcorn i got the pop secret fat free bag and sprayed the inside with fat free spray butter! it was perdy good :-)

[Former_Member]

Stevia is a natural herb that is ten times sweeter than sugar, has no calories, and has medicinal effect of fighting cavities. You can add stevia to real lemon juice and water to have real lemonade, which is highly cleansing and healthy for your body.

[AJBcreations]

I drink water with lemon. I go through 3 lemons a week doing this. Lemon is a natural appetite suppressant and antibacterial agent. The smell of lemons has also been proven to enhance/alter moods!

[Former_Member]

Truvia instead of sugar. i love truvia now! it doesn't effect your blood sugar levels and now i only like IT in my coffee and on my grapefruit

[Former_Member]

I love truvia! I use it in my coffee. I also try to add cinnamon to anything I am making such as whole wheat pancakes or oatmeal because it prevents your blood sugar from spiking.

[AJBcreations]

I love cinnamon. I am a huge fan of lattes, but not of the syrup flavorings. I have been just getting them plain lately, non fat, with cinnamon sprinkled on top and they are quite good.

[VintageEye]

Smoothies! I adore them! This is a fairly recent development for me & I have gone off the deep end a wee bit but deliciously so! Here are the highlights.
1 banana, 1/2 cup frozen peaches, 1/2 of a med cooked sweet potato, juice of one orange, 1 cup almond milk, splash of vanilla, sprinkle of nutmeg. Blend until smooth! Fabulously tasty & packed with nutrition & fiber. Yum!