The internet is a massive virtual world, filled with so much information you can learn something about any subject every day for the rest of your life. My favorite thing about the internet is that it can now be used as a giant cookbook. I am so happy we are able to share so much food knowledge with one another. What a time to be alive. Pinterest and Instagram have changed the cooking and baking game for me. I stumble across new ideas and techniques every day. Recently, I’ve been all about using vegetables in place of starchy processed foods because they still enable me to enjoy meals I love while feeling good. It’s delicious and nutritious and that’s always the best combination in my eyes... and my tummy! Here are three of my favorite swap outs that have changed my life and keep my body happy and healthy.
Sweet Potato Toast
Maybe you’ve seen it on Instagram or food blogs, but sweet potato being used as toast is the best thing since sliced bread. Good God, it is so glorious and versatile. There are a couple ways you can make it, depending on how much time you have and whether or not you have access to an oven or toaster. What I usually do is cut the potato the long way with about ¼” thickness. Some people prefer to bake the slices for about 20 minutes with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. A quicker way is to just throw the slices in the toaster a couple times over (which is what I do). Here are some of my favorite ways to eat it:
-with eggs, scrambled with veggies or just one fried egg on top
-with avocado, as you would with normal avocado toast. Don’t forget the salt and pepper!
-with almond butter and bananas + cinnamon.
-with Nutella and strawberries
-you can even use it as buns for a hamburger if you’re feeling fancy, it’s awesome.
Cauliflower Rice
I love rice but this substitute is great. First, throw cauliflower in a food processor until the chunks look about the size rice grains. Then, I put it in a pan with some olive oil and stir it until it is soft. I then add things I’d eat normally with rice such as lemon, salt and pepper, or garlic. My family likes to make stir-fry variations and Mexican inspired dishes using cauliflower rice. I was so surprised the first time I made it by how filling and flavorful it was. Cauliflower really holds the seasoning flavor well which makes it a reliable substitute while still delivering the texture and substance of rice. Some people even use it as the rice in homemade sushi rolls which looks and tastes amazing. Definitely give it a go some time, you’ll most likely enjoy it.
Zucchini Noodles
Ugh, noodles are so good, but sometimes pasta can be really heavy. You can have your favorite Italian dish without all the weight of regular pasta by using zucchini! Spiralizers have truly changed the game. You can get them for really cheap online or at stores such as Walmart and Target. You just spiralize the raw zucchini, pat them down with a paper towel to avoid sogginess when cooking, then throw them in a saucepan with some olive oil until tender. There are a lot of benefits for swapping out your regular noodles for zucchini noodles. They cook faster, are far less caloric and you can barely taste the vegetables when in a good sauce. I love them with pesto, chicken, and broccoli as well as my mom's famous red sauce and meatball combination. You can also use zucchini as a replacement for lasagna noodles by cutting them the long way and breading and frying them. So many options that are so worth trying!
So those are my three go-to healthier options for some classic meals I love. Give ‘em a go if you would like, you might become just as obsessed as I am or you at least gave it a shot to opt for a healthier option. Your body and your tastebuds will thank you!
