5 Great Healthy Alternatives To Your Favorite Foods

Sometimes you love food, but it doesn't love you back. Those scrumptious dishes call to you, filled with flavor. They aren't always good for you, though. The fried chicken packs on the pounds, and that plate of cookies elevates your sugars. Then, there's that bottle of wine, calling your name but bringing added calories and headaches too. 

How do you learn to balance what you crave with what you should consume? Sometimes it comes down to people learning to choose alternative forms. You get a close flavor profile without the extra grease, fat and sugar spike. This year, consider putting your health first by learning to modify your favorite meals.

1. Upgrade Your Burger and Fries

American culture adores the classic burger. A traditional beef patty with a basket of fries contains high amounts of sodium and fat, far more than the average person should consume. By making a few easy changes, though, the dish offers a solid taste. Consider how you build your burger. Turkey and chicken both offer a leaner selection than traditional beef. Try adding seasoning to the ground meat to elevate the flavor and topping it with veggies and a slight dollop of sauce. 

As for the potato wedges, change the white potato filled with starch to sweet potatoes, jicama or a harder veggie like carrots. Place these in an air fryer which decreases the grease and oil. Use a bit of salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning.

2. Make Better Alcoholic Choices

The carbs in a beer are high, and the sugars in mixed drinks and some wines. Having more than one glass proves troublesome. Select beverages that have fewer carb numbers, such as gluten free beer or vodka tonic. Use skinny mixers and stick to basic liquors that are clear and low in sugar. You could mix something into flavored sparkling water if you'd like.

3. Change a Few Things in Your Milkshakes

You probably couldn't get enough of the milkshake as kids, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Dairy, though, becomes hard to digest as you age, turning this delectable dessert into something that you can't handle. For those that tolerate milk, the excess sugar is harder to burn off and slows down the metabolism.

Try using frozen yogurt to replace the ice cream. Skip the use of regular milk and rely on almond milk instead, getting fewer calories and some protein. If it's still too much, opt for a fruit smoothie.

4. Skip the Candy for Something Lighter

Do you like a good candy bar now and then? Maybe you rely on a good chocolate fix in the middle of the day. Stop grabbing the bags and bars and instead look for fruit for your sweet craving. Put a few chocolate chips in with your raspberries, or dip your strawberries in chocolate if you still want chocolate. Fruit popsicles also work well.

5. Amp Up the Tacos

Mexican packs a big flavor, but it also houses a ton of sodium, fat and calories. Many people start with chips and dips, then head for the tacos or enchiladas. While these decadent meals are filling, you could alter them to deliver pleasure without much of the negative. Skip the chips and dips first and look for something that focuses on veggies rather than wheat wraps or corn shells. 

For instance, try a taco salad, relying on guacamole for the dressing. Remember, this healthy fat is good for you in small quantities. Don't use a bowl; stay to a tablespoon or two. Jicama wraps or lettuce leaves work for a shell alternative, allowing you to enjoy a taco without much hassle.

Being healthy doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite dishes. You can enjoy so many things by making choices, changing up what you buy and how you prepare things. A few tiny modifications allow you to still dine on your favorites without making tremendous sacrifices.