If you're trying to lose weight and tone up or simply just want to eat better up then I'm sure you know exercise alone just won't cut it. In order to fulfil your goals you are in need of a healthy balanced diet, an active lifestyle and a efficient amount of sleep every night. Now I know it's hard if you're a food lover like me to cut out all the foods that you know are bad for you however making a few swaps to your diet can really boost the amount of time it takes you to reach your target healthily. So I've put together a list of the foods I have swapped that have really made a difference to myself mentally and physically.
1) Margarine
There are a couple of foods you can swap Margarine for. Nut butter being one of them- There are many types of nut butter you could use to put on your toast or to make a healthy snack alongside fruit with. One of the best ones I believe is Almond butter which is rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium making it ideal if you are trying to lose weight as it helps maintain muscle and nerve function which is great when it comes to your workout. Not to mention almonds reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
2)Vegetable oils-
Don't be fooled by the term 'Vegetable' as these oils go through many processes including bad substances before it reaches your dinner table making them not so healthy as you would like to think. An alternative for when your cooking is coconut oil- Coconut oil is amazing as it can help you lose weight due to its combination of fatty acids that promote an increase in your metabolic rate it also helps shift stubborn weight surrounding your abdominal area which is one of the hardest places to lose weight. By adding this oil to your diet it suppresses your hunger for a longer period of time meaning you're able to go longer between meals and are less likely to binge on unhealthy foods.
3)Sour cream and fatty yoghurt
Now in the morning and for a snack I do usually like some yoghurt and fruit but some yoghurt's are just too high in sugar and fat making them very bad for you however by swapping to 0 fat Greek yoghurt this can make a huge difference not only to your weight but also your skin, aiding you in a clear complexion. Greek yoghurt contains 0 g saturated fats and cholesterol meaning that you can enjoy this without worrying about your heart health. Greek yoghurt also is packed with more calcium than a glass of milk at 20% you can be sure your bones are being kept strong and not to mention 30% of it is protein making it great for muscle building.. Just like coconut oil, Greek yoghurt makes you feel fuller for longer making it great to set you off in the mornings.
If you want a healthier alternative to sour cream then Greek yoghurt also solves this problem as you can use this on salads, pasta sauces or even over chicken. plus it tastes delicious even with a teaspoon of raw honey drizzled over it!
4)Cows Milk
One cup of whole milk contains 150 calories and contains 8 grams of fat, 5 of which are saturated fats and that really is not good for you. So what I like to use instead is Almond milk ( yay to almonds once again). I use the unsweetened almond milk that contains around 40 calories per glass- a significant decrease to cows milk. Almond milk is high in anti-oxidants and contains no cholesterol or saturated fats. It contains many vitamins and minerals such as copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and selenium. It contains no thing to do with animals making it suitable for vegetarians and vegans and best of all you can make it yourself at home!!
5) Granola
Now I love some granola with my Greek yoghurt from time to time but after I realised that it wasn't that good for me as it contained a lot of sugar I had to look for an alternative. And that is where Buckwheat came in- It contains less calories than gronola and also helps protect against heart disease alongside having numerous health benefits.
6) Sweets and chocolate
I have a major sweet tooth and find it very hard to avoid eating sugary food. Although I do occasional eat sweets and chocolate I try and find better alternatives. To crave my chocolate craving I use... CHOCOLATE! Yes yes I still eat chocolate but I eat dark chocolate that is around 90% cocoa. It's better than any other chocolate as it filled with anti oxidants and less calories making it a healthy alternative. For my sweet tooth I like to eat frozen fruit such as raspberries and grapes.. I know they're not completely the same but they give you the same taste plus are great for your weight! My favourite thing to do with frozen fruit is using it over oatmeal and also dipping it in dark chocolate for a treat!
7) Milky Tea or Coffee
Try swapping your commercial coffee or milky tea for a herbal tea such as green tea which is packed with anti-oxidants that reduce the risk of cancer and aid in a healthy diet and did I metion contains no calories!! If you don't like pure green tea there are many flavours you can get such as my favourite lemon or pomegranate! If you have to stick with milky tea swap to Almond milk and do the same for coffee. Try to avoid syrups that are filled with artery blocking cholesterols and sugar that are also high in calories.
8) Red Meat
There are tons of alternatives to red meat that are uncountable healthier. why don't you try swapping your red meat to a healthier breast of chicken or turkey which contains less fat. If you love fish then swap it for fish- fish contains a great source of omega 3 and protein. If you want to be really healthy try quorn- It's a vegetarian option and simply delicious.
So there are my healthier alternatives that I feel really have made a difference to my body! Remember the key to looking good on the outside is keeping our insides happy with a healthy active lifestyle!
Thanks for reading!
Lots of love Sinead x
