Common junk food swaps

The ongoing consumption of junk food has been linked to a number of chronic health conditions and overall poor health. This is because junk foods tend to contain large amounts of saturated fat and sugar, and a high number of calories, all of which can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome over time.

While it's okay to indulge in junk food every now and then, it's not something that should be a regular occurrence in your diet for the above reasons. However, cutting junk food out of your diet is much easier said than done, especially if you're somebody who enjoys these types of foods.

Junk food swaps

Finding healthy alternatives to your favorite junk food dishes means you can continue eating all of the foods that you love without putting your health at increased risk. Below, we have got some great junk food swaps for you to try when you want to maximize your health without cutting out delicious dishes.

• French fries - swap the greasy portion of French fries for some baked sweet potato wedges. Add a sprinkle of black pepper on top to give them some extra flavor.
• Pizza - instead of ordering a take-out pizza, which is naturally high in calories and saturated fat, make your own healthy pizzas at home. You can use pitta bread or naan bread as the base and add whichever healthy toppings you like.
• Burgers - avoid ordering greasy burgers from a fast-food restaurant nearby and, instead, bake your own burgers at home using a simple online recipe. Healthy burger ingredients include chicken breast, soy mince, and mixed beans or lentils.
• Chips - it's tempting to eat a bag of chips when you're relaxing at home in front of the TV but you don't need to give up your evening snack time to stay healthy. Switch potato chips out for some baked vegetable sticks or a small portion of trail mix for something crunchy and savory.