Healthy Versions of Your Favorite Junk Food

Obsessed with fast food? Do you find yourself at the drive-through of a McDonalds, at 11pm? We all have our guilty pleasures however, we shouldn’t let them get the best of our healthy eating habits. Instead of completely abandoning your favorite treats, modify them so you can eat without the guilt! Zagline is here to inform you about a multitude of alternatives for all your favorite foods and textures.

Crunch Lovers Rejoice!

Love the sound of a crunching chip? Do you unconsciously finish an entire bag of chips in minutes? Then perhaps you should try out kale chips. Although this green veggie can be quite intimidating due to its strong flavor, if prepared correctly kale chips make a delicious snack. The key is the seasoning. If seasoned correctly you’ll be able to eat an entire bowl without realizing you’ve been munchin’ on kale. Are vegetables not your thing? Why not try coconut or banana chips? Yes, they exist and you’ll be surprised at how addictive they can be. Skip all the complex, unknown ingredients in commercial chip bags and settle for these healthier alternatives instead.

Anything and Everything Fried

From fried chicken to deep-fried Oreos, it seems that fried food is hard to escape. The smell in itself is distinct and ominous. However, what we do want to escape are all the added calories of fat that come with deep frying. If you truly can’t control your cravings for fries or chicken, opt for the oven instead of the frying pan. Baking in itself is far healthier than the frying pan. I think we can all recall major chip brands launching “baked” chips in an attempt to rebrand their snacks as “healthy” in the early 2000s. Coating food with coconut oil and sticking it in the oven will give it the same crispy texture without the empty calories that come from deep-frying.

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice-cream!

This is by far one of the most popular guilty treats. There’s something so satisfying about eating straight out of the carton, but that often results in us eating more than the recommended serving size. Traditional ice-cream is dairy or heavy cream based, making it unfriendly for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant. However, like many popular treats, vegans have discovered a way to continue eating this frozen treat without sacrificing their lifestyle. With a heavy-duty blender, you’ll be able to turn frozen bananas into deliciously creamy ice-cream. You can create your own flavors, it’s really all up to your imagination. If you’re not ready to make homemade banana-based ice-cream, you can hit up your local supermarket and they should carry some dairy-free ice-cream options. Popular alternatives include replacing dairy with almond, cashew, rice, or coconut milk. It might take trying a few different cartons to find one that suits your taste buds, but your body will thank you in the long run.

B-A-N-A-N-A-S for Pancakes?

Brunch is one of the most adored meals of all time. From eggs benedict to day drinking, whats not to like? Perhaps the overwhelming sleepy feeling you get after finishing a stack of pancakes? Pancakes are fluffy clouds of deliciousness, buts what’s not delicious is all the empty carbs that come along with them. There are great alternatives to using box pancakes, from coconut flour based recipes to ripe bananas. It might sound odd, replacing pancake powder with bananas as you’re substituting complex ingredients with fruit. However, this substitute makes your hotcakes sweeter, not to mention a lot healthier. The bananas also control the thickness of the pancake, making portion control easier. Moreover, you can add other goodies like nuts, cocoanuts, and berries if you wish to dilute the banana flavor. Chances are you won’t even need the addition of maple syrup as this treat alone will satisfy your sweet tooth. Instead of going out for brunch why not stay in and bond with your friends by cooking up a feast.

Kombucha is Made from What?

Kombucha has reached high popularity this last year. The question that many seem to be asking is, what exactly is kombucha? This fermented beverage is made with the combination of yeast, sugar, and SCOBY mushrooms. Place the large mushrooms in a jar, fill it with water, add some sugar and yeast and wait for the mushrooms to consume the goods. Once the liquid starts bubbling,  it’s ready to consume! Although water continues to be healthiest of all beverages, kombucha isn’t far behind. This naturally fermented drink has the same consistency as carbonated soda. Therefore, it services as the perfect transition drink to minimize soda intake. There are a wide variety of claims that come with drinking kombucha, some have even suggested daily consumption helps prevent illness. The drink comes in a variety of flavors, so you’re bound to find one that suits your taste buds.

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