Who doesn’t crave junk food every now and then? Don’t worry! It’s all about finding tasty alternatives to junk food to help you get through the holidays!
Junk food has become a big part of our culture, even though we know it’s not good for us. It only really satisfies our taste buds, not our health, and that’s the problem, right? It feels like we have to choose between taste and nutrition. But that’s not always the case. You can break the junk food habit with some clever strategies.
One way is to prepare healthier snacks and keep them easily accessible. Junk food’s main attraction is its availability, so having healthier options on hand is a good start. You could also keep a log of each time you give in to a junk food craving. Studies show that visible reminders of past mistakes can help prevent repeating them.
The most important step is learning to make delicious and healthy snacks to replace junk food. You can’t just stop eating junk food without having alternatives – that’s a recipe for failure. If you’re unsure where to begin, here are some great healthy snack recipes everyone will love:
Try making a peanut butter and kefir dip. Start by making kefir, which is healthier than yogurt because it has more nutrients and probiotics. If you know how to ferment kefir, follow the usual process but check it every few hours to avoid over-fermenting. If you’re new to this, add kefir grains to milk and let it sit for 24 hours. Strain the resulting milk through a cheesecloth in the fridge until you get the consistency you want.
Mix 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 2/3 cup of your strained kefir, and 2 teaspoons of maple syrup in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and cinnamon, then blend everything together. Serve with cut vegetables and fruit.
For a fruity treat, try making fruit and vegetable popsicles. Blend 1/2 cup each of kale and spinach, a peeled and pitted peach, 1 cup of strawberries, and 1 cup of oranges in a food processor. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze.
Banana popsicles are another great option. Cut bananas in half, insert popsicle sticks, and roll or dip them in yogurt or kefir. For a dairy-free option, you can “paint” the bananas with a thin layer of honey mixed with water. Roll the bananas in a mixture of rice crispies, mini chocolate chips, and shredded coconut, then freeze on wax paper.
For a sweet snack, mix golden raisins and shredded coconut (about 1 cup of coconut per pound of raisins) in a food processor. Add a teaspoon of water or tahini for a stickier consistency. Roll the mixture into balls, then coat with dried coconut. These keep well in the fridge.
Instead of soda, make your own with natural flavors and sparkling water. Use a juicer to extract fruit juice, then mix it with sparkling water without added sugars.
If you love chips, try baking kale or spinach. Start with about 4 cups of chopped, washed, and dried kale. Spray the leaves with olive oil, then sprinkle with a mix of 1/3 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp onion powder. Spread the leaves on a baking pan and bake at 275°F for 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway through. Once done, transfer to a plate or bowl.
Here are five ways to replace junk food with healthier options. Give them a try!
