What? Junk Food Can Be Healthy? Here’s How
If, like us, your #SummerBody endeavours have turned into more of a #CheatDay routine, there is still hope for your #BikiniBody. As frequent offenders of the 3:30-itis junk food run, we are soooo there with you, girl. It is so g-dang hard to change your snacking routine – especially when it tastes so. Damn. Good. So, in an effort to improve our snacking habits, we compiled our junk food hit list and figured out what tweaks to make and healthier counterparts we could reach for whenever cravings strike. Sure, they may not be exactly the same thing, but they still taste just as indulgent.
SAVOURY
Crisps
Substitute: potatoes
For: Kale or veggies. Mandolin those suckers and use extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil to crisp up those bad boys in the oven.
Chips/Fries/Wedges
Substitute: Potatoes
For: Sweet potato, pumpkin, parsnip, carrot; pretty much any root vegetable that you can slice into whatever chip formation you prefer. Then, instead of whipping out your deep fryer or practically bathing them in canola/vegetable oil, use extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil (like you do when making chips) to oven roast your healthy vegetable chips.
Pizza
Substitute: Pepperoni, Quattro Formmagi, or Meat Lovers’ Pizza
For: Madeleine Shaw’s Cauliflower Crust Pizza done four different ways: Bacon & Ricotta; Pesto, Sundried Tomato & Green Olives; Cheese & Pepper; Goat’s Cheese, Spinach & Pine Nuts.
Mac ’n’ Cheese
Substitute: Packaged mac ’n’ cheese
For: Real macaroni and cheese using macaroni pasta (gluten-free or wholewheat, if possible), butternut squash, and Parmesan cheese. While your pasta’s on the boil, separately boil cubed butternut and drain when soft. Roughly mash the squash in a bowl and add it to the macaroni saucepan once the pasta’s aldente and has been drained (obvs). Fold through the squash and Parmesan if you’re starving; or, if you can be bothered, spoon the pasta+squash into an oven dish, sprinkle Parmesan over it, and pop it in the oven to crisp up the cheese.
SWEET
Ice cream
Substitute: Store-bought ice cream or gelato
For: Luckily, there’s plenty of junk food alternatives for ice cream. Our favourite option is this amazing one-ingredient ‘ice cream,’ or lactose free ice creams (coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk) or low fat frozen yoghurt.
Biscuits
Substitute: Chocolate chip biscuits or peanut butter cookies
For: This super-delicious Peach & Rosemary Crumble recipe by Julie Montagu. Or a raw protein ball. Expensive buggers, yes, but totally worth it.
Cakes & Brownies
Substitute: Carrot, chocolate, red velvet cake…
For: Any one of these incredible, healthy cake alternatives on Brit + Co. Do it and ‘Gram. Your Insta fam will thank you for your contribution.
Sweets
Substitute: Gummy lollies
For: Frozen grapes! Surprisingly they satisfy just as much as Haribo.
Pudding
Substitute: Creme brûlée or panna cotta
For: Chia seed pudding. So easy to make: Simply pour two cups of whatever health milk you prefer over 1/2 cup of chia seeds into a bowl, stir though two or so tablespoons of agave syrup, and separate the mixture into four ramekins. Pop in the fridge to chill and in a few hours you’ll have tasty, tasty, healthy chia seed pud.
