Tips to make comfort food healthier
Comfort foods are usually high in calories, sugar, and saturated fat. Regularly indulging in these types of foods can lead to weight gain. Over time, carrying excess body fat can increase the risk of a range of chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, type two diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and some forms of cancer.
Finding healthier versions of your favorite comfort foods
A lot of us can struggle to reduce our consumption of comfort foods because they can help us to feel less anxious and can positively impact our mood. Finding ways to create healthier alternatives to comfort foods means you can continue enjoying a version of your favorite foods without compromising your health.
Healthier versions of popular treats, snacks, and desserts can give you the same comforting feeling as the standard versions. However, they will contain fewer calories, and less sugar and fat.
Below, we’ve got some top tips to help you create your favorite comfort foods at home so you can boost your health while still indulging in yummy treats.
Top tips for healthier comfort foods
Here are some top tips for making your favorite comfort foods healthier but just as delicious.
- Use apple sauce or honey instead of white or brown sugar
- Swap cream for milk or yogurt
- Find creative ways to include fruit and vegetables in your snacks and desserts
- Go for whole grains instead of simple sugars
- Swap white or milk chocolate for dark chocolate
- Use avocado instead of cream to make your desserts smoother and sweeter