Hey there! :)
So, I was doing a little browsing around online last night and reading through different healthy living articles when a particular website caught my attention:
This website is AWESOME. It’s a healthy living website that covers all kinds of topics including healthy foods, fitness, recipes, and tips to being happy. It’s WONDERFUL! You all should definitely check it out. :)
I found an article on there about 80 different substitutions to make recipes healthier and it was so interesting. I mean, we have all heard about substituting applesauce for oil in baked goods, brown rice for white rice, whole wheat flour for white flour and white meat for dark meat, but 80?! There were SO many that I hadn’t even thought of. Here are a few that I thought looked worth trying (these are directly from the website):
6. Avocado puree for butter
They’re both fats (albeit very different fats) and have nearly the same consistency at room temperature. The creaminess and subtle flavor of the avocado lends itself well to the texture of fudge brownies and dark chocolate flavorings. Check out this recipe for an idea of the right proportions to use.
7. Brown rice cereal and flax meal for Rice Crispies
Brown puffed rice has the same texture as conventional white rice, but with half the calories. The flaxadds extra fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytochemicals to the mix without changing the flavor.
(this one caught my attention because of my addiction to Rice Krispies haha)
10. Vanilla for sugar
Cutting sugar in half and adding 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla as a replacement can give just as much flavor with significantly fewer calories. Assuming the recipe originally calls for 1 cup of sugar, that’s already almost 400 calories cut by leaving out ½ cup of sugar.
22. Zucchini ribbons for pasta
Thin strips or ribbons of zucchini are a great stand in for carb-packed pastas. Plus, it’s one excuse to skip the boiling— simply sautee for a few minutes until soft.
80. Steaming for boiling
While both are great options for meats and veggies, steaming is king because it removes fewer nutrients from vegetables. While boiling can leech out some of the better nutrients (hence why water turns green after boiling broccoli), steaming keeps all that green goodness inside the veggies.
You can check out all 80 of them here! I love learning new things, especially when it comes to healthy living and this article definitely has a wealth of information!
I saw the one about replacing white rice krispies cereal with brown rice, so of course being curious, I ventured to the store this morning to find some to try. Well, they were out of the brown puffed rice, but I saw that the same brand carried a cereal called Red Puffed Wheat and the nutritional information was pretty much identical, so I decided to give it a go!
The verdict?
Not a fan. It was definitely healthy and I loved that there were no additives in it, but the cereal was SO light and not filling at all. I will have to do a little bit more research on how to make this taste better, or things to cook it with that might make it a more substantial meal because I have almost an entire bag left. Good thing it was only a dollar!
Well, it’s time to get cracking on some homework and get in a good run before what looks to be a quiet evening. I am still on the fence about going out tonight, but I’m thinking about opting for staying in again. Gotta save some money, and there are good movies on tv tonight, so it would be a win win. :)
Talkatchalater,
Happy Hippie
