We can deny it all we want, but winter is slowly creeping around the corner. Sadly, most of us tend to pack on those extra winter calories from staying inside and snacking all day. But how do we avoid this? One easy way is to find healthy alternatives for your favorite fatty foods. Need some ideas? Here’s a list of some of my favorite healthy alternatives.

Try spaghetti squash instead of pasta. Squash is low in calories and actually contains a wide range of vitamins. Spaghetti squash is so easy to make, and by throwing a little sauce on it you’ll feel like you’re eating your favorite pasta dish without all the calories!      

Most people can’t live without milk. We put it in our coffee, in our cereal and sometimes just want to drink a full glass in the morning. Cutting out milk is a quick and easy fix to avoid packing on the winter weight. Almond milk is a great alternative because it doesn’t have any cholesterol, saturated fat or sodium.     

Would you ever think that a salad could actually be bad for you? Usually they’re not. But we should be wary of fatty dressings! Try putting a little olive oil and salt on top of your salad to avoid the unnecessary calories.  

When trying to avoid packing on extra weight, bread is not something we should eat all the time. Instead, use rice cakes to make your favorite sandwich for lunch. Rice cakes not very caloric and taste just as good.    

There’s no reason to cut out dessert completely when trying to eat healthy. We all have our sweet cravings, and we should satisfy them. Instead of ice cream, try frozen yogurt. Or, if you need a chocolate fix, eat low fat chocolate pudding.    

My personal weakness is bagels, especially when I wake up with a hangover on a Friday morning. But bagels aren’t so great when it comes to being health-cautious. If you feel like you need a bagel, but you’re trying to eat healthy, eat an English muffin. English muffins might not taste as good as a fresh bagel in the morning, but they do the trick!    

Trying to avoid gaining weight in the winter might seem difficult, but just try and eat these healthy alternatives and you'll be more than ready for your bikini debut on your December vacation.