We all want to eat more healthily, but giving up our favorite treats can be difficult. Fortunately, there’s no need to completely forgo snacks and treats, delicious spreads, nor maple syrup. All you need to do is to cleverly substitute certain foods. These 6 minor adjustments will let you enjoy treats that are similar in both flavor and texture to your favorite snacks, and the best part – they make a world of difference when it comes to a healthy lifestyle.
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Protect Your Heart: Replace Popcorn & Pretzels with Pista/Pistachios
If you’re in the mood for a salty snack that is both crunchy and delicious, there’s no need to reach for those pretzels, fried items or Popcorms which are full of empty calories. Instead, opt for a small bowl of pistachios. Studies have found that daily consumption of 1.4oz (40g) of pistachios reduces the risk of a heart attack thanks to their healthy levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL). Pistachios are beneficial for diabetics, they boost the immune system, and, with their high levels of Vitamin E, do wonders for your skin.
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Watching Your Weight: Substitute Diet Coke with Ice Tea
Do you think drinking diet sodas will help you lose weight? A recent study held at the University of Texas found that people who drank Diet Coke regularly for ten years experienced a 70% increase in waist size. The researchers concluded that Diet Coke makes people want to eat more and that the average consumer of Diet Coke has worse eating habits when compared to people who avoid sodas altogether. If you still crave a sweet beverage, pour yourself a cup of iced green tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which help you stay younger and protect you from cancer.
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Cancer Protection: Choose Red Bell Peppers
When compared to its green and yellow counterparts, red bell peppers contain three times as much nutritional fiber, eight times more vitamin A, and 60% more vitamin C. In addition, red bell peppers contain a pigment called beta-cryptoxanthin. Studies show that regular consumption of beta-cryptoxanthin reduces the risk of developing lung cancer by 27%.
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Better Nutritional Values: Choose Chicken Drumsticks over Breasts
Chicken breasts are lower in calories and fat, but the drumsticks have a higher nutritional value. The drumsticks contain much more iron, which helps your red blood cells distribute oxygen throughout your body; zinc, which helps the immune system; and vitamin A, which is essential for the health of your eyes.
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Balance Your Cholesterol: Choose Avocado Over Mayonnaise
Avocado has a creamy texture that is similar to mayo, but unlike mayo, it is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which boosts brain functions, lowers “bad” cholesterol (LDL), and helps prevent heart diseases.
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Maintain a Healthy Liver: Eat the Whole Egg, Not Just the White
Many people abstain from eating egg yolk, fearing that it is too high in cholesterol, but the yolk is actually rich in choline – a water-soluble nutrient that the body requires for the production of various compounds. Additionally, choline can also prevent the accumulation of cholesterol and fat in the liver.
