When people think of eating a healthy diet, they tend to think of salads and bland chicken. They also think of all the things they have to give up to “eat healthy.” It’s seriously overwhelming to try and make all of those changes at once which is why nutrition experts will tell you that small, sustainable changes are best for long term benefits.
But where do we start? The best tips I’ve received have been little hacks I’ve learned from others, and I’m here to pass them on to you. Here are five substitutions to cut some calories from your diet without feeling like you’re giving something up:
One: Kashi cereal – Kashi cereal is high fiber and has a fair bit of protein in it. The cinnamon flavor has a whopping 13 grams of protein per serving. This stuff works great as cereal, but also as a substitute for granola on yogurt when you just want something crunchy.
Two: Polaner sugar free, high fiber jelly – Polaner makes both a grape and a strawberry jelly that is both sugar free and high fiber. This works great in PB&J over-night oats, mixed into yogurt, or anywhere else you’d use jelly. If you have a craving for an old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but want to make healthier choices, this stuff is a must have.
Three: Protein pasta and rice – Food manufacturers seem to be cluing into the fact that people want more protein in their diets and we want it without giving up carbs. Enter protein pasta and rice. While you’re not going to get the same amount of protein from these choices as chicken, you’re still getting more than traditional pasta or rice. Does it taste the same as traditional pasta? No. Does it taste good enough? Yep. Sure does. And it’s a step in the right direction.
Four: Protein tortillas – Just as with the pasta if you take the time to look you’ll find protein tortillas. Ole makes a high fiber protein tortilla that I use at home. Would I prefer flour tortillas? Of course I would. But these scratch an itch when I need homemade tacos.
Five: No sugar marinara – Both Kroger and HEB sell marinara sauce with zero sugar and it tastes just as good as any of the other brands. Serve over pasta, use as a pizza sauce if you like to make your own pizzas, or dip turkey pepperoni in it for a snack. You won’t even notice a difference.
There you go – five simple substitutions that help make your diet just a little healthier. Remember, not everything you eat has to be delicious; most of the time it just has to be good enough. Be patient and keep making small changes. You’ll reach your goals before you know it.
Happy sweating!
Meghan
Ps. Need help getting started? Reach out to [email protected] for a nutrition consult today!
