When I was 18 years old, I started thinking about the foods I ate. It was triggered by the word “junk food”, which I read about in a magazine. I also felt a lot of pity for animals like cows, sheep, and pigs. I decided to give up meat and generally began to carefully monitor what I was eating.
I read scientific articles and tried to understand how to substitute for normal (but not always healthy) foods. Not everyone around me understood my position, but now, 15 years later, I have no regrets at all.
I’d like to tell you about a dozen foods that I was able to find healthy alternatives to. I am sure that the life hacks described in this article will be really useful for those who do not want to radically change their eating habits. But if you’re ready to make big changes, see a doctor first.
Common Foods Diets Exclude, and What to Eat Instead
Potatoes Vs Cauliflower
Cauliflower puree has fewer calories than mashed potatoes and these 2 dishes taste almost the same. For the picky eaters, I mix potatoes and cauliflower in a 1: 1 ratio and add some fresh herbs instead of salt. That way, you get a classic dish, but more dietary.
For me, I just puree cauliflower. It perfectly satisfies hunger and does not cause a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
Wheat Flour Vs Black Beans
By substituting wheat flour for black beans in your cakes, you’ll get gluten-free dishes with an extra dose of protein. Also, beans are very tasty, although many people think otherwise.
When I bake something with masa, I use the trick of replacing 1 cup of flour with 1 cup of crushed black beans.
Believe me, the quality of your dough will not diminish. On the contrary, the finished dish will acquire a very interesting and incomparable taste.
Lettuce Vs Spinach
Why would anyone change one type of green for another? The fact is, spinach contains twice as much potassium, protein, calcium, iron, niacin, and vitamins A, B, and C as any other leafy vegetable.
In addition, it is rich in fiber and minerals, including magnesium and phosphorus. It’s almost impossible to tell the difference in taste, but spinach has more nutritional value than lettuce.
Coffee Vs Chicory And Matcha
Everyone drinks coffee, but very few people know that a cup of coffee contains around 95 mg of caffeine. Consuming too much caffeine can cause nausea, anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia.
Chicory also invigorates you, but it does not contain caffeine. In addition, there is matcha, a powdered green tea with much milder effects than coffee.
In addition, matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid that helps reduce stress. Unfortunately, few people know about this healthy drink.
Potato Chips Vs Fried Chickpeas
Chewing on some potato chips is okay, but not very good for your health. So what can you do? You’d be surprised to know that chickpeas fried with your favorite spices taste almost the same and are just as crunchy.
This alternative is also rich in fiber and magnesium, an important mineral in the control of blood sugar levels and in the functioning of the nervous system.
Meat Vs Tofu
Tofu is a food made from soy milk that is an excellent source of protein and contains essential amino acids. If you want to leave the meat on for a while, this soy product can be a great substitute.
By the way, tofu is so “neutral” that you can simply marinate it in your favorite sauce and get the flavor you want. The food itself is practically tasteless.
Fish Vs Flax Seeds
Fish is rich in protein and omega-3 acids. But if you are allergic to shellfish, flax is a great substitute. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, just like fish.
I do not eat fish, meat, flour, fast food, and other foods without which many people cannot imagine their life for 15 years. There were times when the people around me didn’t understand and condemned my diet because they thought we couldn’t live without eating meat. But now I am 33 years old and I feel great.
I don’t feel like I’m limiting myself because I’m just taking care of my health, both physically and mentally. I am not starving, I simply build my diet so that my body receives all the necessary substances.
Assuming all my exams are normal, my plan is working. I also feel very good about living and eating as I want and not betraying my morals. But if you want to radically change your eating habits, I would advise you to consult a doctor first.
Can you call your diet balanced? Do you have your own life hacks on how to replace common foods with healthy foods? Share them in the comments below.
Preview photo credit Depositphotos.com, Nillerdk / Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-3.0
