7 Easy Food Swaps For Better Health

Eating right doesn’t have to be hard. Consider making these seven small changes to set yourself on a path to healthy eating, weight loss, and better health. Swap…

1. Sugary cereals for oats

Cut out unneeded calories and add in some heart-healthy whole grains by switching from a sugar-coated breakfast cereal to oatmeal. Toss in some cinnamon and nuts for flavor and healthy fats. If you need a little bit of sweetness, add some fresh or dried fruit!

2. Butter/mayonnaise for avocado

Switch out the saturated fats in butter and mayonnaise for avocado, which is rich in monounsaturated fats that can actually help you lose weight. Avocadoes are also rich in antioxidants and fiber. Try spreading ripe avocado on your next turkey sandwich!

3. Corn-fed beef for grass-fed

Cows that eat grass rather than corn tend to have less body fat. For the carnivorous eater, that means a leaner cut of beef. Additionally, the fats in grass-fed beef tend to be healthier, with omega-3 fatty acids featuring in the spotlight. All together, that means fewer, healthier fats.

4. French fries for sweet potato fries

Sweet potatoes have more fiber than regular potatoes, making them more filling and more heart-healthy.

Plus, sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotenes and other nutrients that make the calories way less empty than those in normal french fries. For a healthier option, go with baked sweet potato wedges rather than fries cooked in oil.

5. Store bought treats for homemade treats

It’s impossible control what goes into the treats that you get from the store – and much harder to control portions, too. Make your own light versions of cakes and cookies when the craving hits! And because you have to put in the work of actually making the treats, you’ll be less likely to snack absentmindedly.

6. Sugary drinks for tea or water

In addition to being totally empty calories, sugary drinks don’t really make it into the body’s tally of how much you’ve eaten in a day. In other words, you won’t feel satisfied by sipping on a soda nearly as much as you would by eating something sweet and solid, like a piece of candy. That means that even if you’re having a sugar craving and have something sweet, you’ll probably go back for seconds! Instead, cut out sugary drinks entirely and go for water or tea, which are free of calories.

7. Pretzels and chips for nuts and seeds

If you need a salty snack, put down that bag of chips and pick up a handful of nuts instead. Pretzels and chips are carb-packed empty calories that might have a satisfying crunch but don’t actually offer your body any nutrition.

Nuts and seeds, on the other hand, are full of vitamin E and trace minerals that make your body function better. They’re also rich in healthy fats, so they’ll actually make you feel full. It’s still wise to enjoy nuts in moderation, though, due to their high fat content.

What are your favorite healthy food swaps? Share your ideas with us in the comments section!

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