Healthy Living: Better Alternatives for Common Cravings!

The journey to healthy living starts with what we choose to fuel our bodies with, but the word “diet” is enough to make anyone want to cry. We all have food obsessions and go-to indulgences, and there’s no need to completely cut out the foods you love! Finding a balance can be tough, so we’ve thought up some healthier alternatives to the most common cravings.

Bread Lovers: Sprouted Bread

            Believe it or not, you can eat bread and still have a healthy diet. Bread is not the enemy, but not all types are created equal. Plain white breads are full of sugar and have very little nutritional benefits. Try switching out any white bread for whole grain or sprouted versions. Not only do they have higher nutritional value, but they’re also way more flavorful and filling. I love Ezekiel bread because the seeds give it a good crunch. It seriously makes the best toast!

Chocolate Lovers: Cocoa Powder…. And More Cocoa Powder… Ok A Little More

            If you can’t get enough chocolate, and one block is never enough, try adding some chocolatey goodness to your routine foods/beverages with cocoa powder. It is especially delicious in a morning coffee, giving it a mocha richness without adding a ton of sugar and calories. It’s also great sprinkled over overnight oats and granola. And, of course, you can still have your chocolate bar fix every now and then as well. It’s all about moderation!

Wine Lovers: Make Spritzers or Vodka Sodas

            This is an obsession I can really relate to. One glass at night is perfectly fine, but if you’re anything like me you’re all too familiar with those nights where one glass turns into the whole bottle! I’ve found that a good way to trick yourself into drinking slower is to add some sparkling water to your glass to make a wine spritzer. It creates the illusion of more of the good stuff in your glass and gives it a refreshing lightness. Another substitute is to make yourself a vodka soda instead. They have much less sugar, which will prevent dehydration and the crash you feel the next morning. I like to upgrade my drink by adding some muddled berries or a few limes. An added bonus is the fact that the act of preparing a drink will give you more pause than simply being able to pour more straight into your glass. Drink responsibly ;)

Soda Lovers: Stevia Sweetened Sodas and Seltzers.

            A soda drinking habit is tough to kick, but cutting it out only yields positive benefits. Sodas have tons of sugar and calories, and even the diet alternatives have chemicals that are not good for you in the long run. This doesn’t mean that you have to give up the fizzy drinks altogether. Luckily for us, there are tons of stevia sweetened sodas on the market today. Stevia is an all-natural sweetener, so these sodas are free of calories and harsh chemicals. Zevia is one of my absolute favorites. If natural sodas aren’t cutting it, try a flavored seltzer drink!

Candy Lovers: Nature’s Candy

Addicted to sugar? Same. We all know that too much of it means an onslaught of health issues. Cutting down on sweets is a good idea when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean you can never satisfy a sugar craving. Instead, find a more natural alternative to processed candy and high calorie desserts. Fruit is great way to satisfy a sweet tooth because it is fairly low in calories and high in fiber. Plus, there are so many ways you can make it indulgent. For example, leaving grapes in the freezer for a few hours gives them a candy-like texture. Also try dipping blueberries in yogurt and freezing them overnight. There are tons of ways you can get creative and make them more to your liking. Even if you don’t completely switch over, it’s always a good idea to introduce more fruit into your diet.

Food Lovers: Add Volume with Veggies

            Some of us just straight up love to eat! Food is to many of us more than just sustenance: it’s a passion, an experience, and a means of bringing friends and family together. If you’re one of those people who loves to overload their plate and try new things, try experimenting with vegetables and super foods. They fill up your plate and add tons of nutrients without adding an abundance of extra calories. And there are so many different ways they can be cooked and seasoned so you’ll never get bored of them. It’s a win-win!