Summer weather means swapping your chunky sweaters for tank tops and your schlubby sweats for shorts. If you’re looking to lighten up, there are many easy swaps that are much more nutritionally dense and just as tasty as your favorite indulgent treats. Maybe you overdid it a little on the hot chocolate over this seemingly endless winter, or maybe you’re just looking for some lighter alternatives in the warmer weather. Either way, read on for five easy substitutes you can make to your noshing habits.
If you love ice cream…
Ice cream in the summer is a sweet treat few of us can resist, but the amount of sugar and fat contained in even one scoop means it’s an indulgence best saved for special occasions. But if you’re craving something sweet and cold, fruit and your freezer are your best friends. Grapes chilled in the freezer are a great natural treat. Want something chocolatey? Cut up bananas into bite-sized pieces. Bring a pot of water to a boil and set a bowl over it to melt natural dark chocolate pieces. Then, coat the banana pieces in the melted chocolate and freeze. Voila, a creamy and chocolatey treat that’ll only set you back about 35 calories a piece.
If you love potato chips…
Crispy crunchy and salty, potato chips always seem to be on hand at picnics and barbecues in the summer, but limiting portion size on potato chips is a huge challenge and the deep frying in oil make them a bad choice for waistlines. Instead of deep frying, turn to your oven and your favorite vegetables to make chips. Kale, sweet potato, beet, brussels sprouts—most vegetables can be turned into guilt-free chips! Simply slice your vegetable of choice into super thin disks (a mandoline is a really helpful tool for doing this) or cut your leaves into bite-size pieces. Toss in a few tablespoons of oil and seasoning. When you season them you can even experiment with different flavors like salt and vinegar or cayenne and lime for a spicy kick. Lay them out on a baking sheet and bake until crispy.
If you love pasta…
Eating a big bowl of pasta and sipping a glass of wine while dining al fresco can make it feel like you’ve been transported to Italy for the evening, but consuming so many carbohydrates can really weigh you down. Swap your spaghetti for veggie noodles. Many grocery stores now sell spiralized veggie noodles like zucchini, carrot, sweet potato and beet that can be swapped into your favorite pasta recipes. However, buying these pre-spiralized vegetables can be a little pricey. If you’re on a budget, invest in a spiralizer (about $20) or simply cut the vegetables into thin strips with your knife. Either way, you’ll be saving yourself a huge amount of calories, getting that much closer to getting your recommended vegetable servings for the day and upping your fiber intake.
If you love pizza…
Fast, cheap and cheesy – the convenience of pizza is hard to deny, but the healthiness of pizza is hard to argue. Though making your own pizza is a little more time-consuming, in terms of nutrition it’s much more beneficial. You can load your pizza up with vegetables and control the amount of cheese and oil, making for a much lighter meal while still allowing you to indulge in a slice of pizza. If you want to go even further, ditch the flour and befriend cauliflower, the miracle vegetable that can be swapped in to make pizza crusts and even bread.
If you love Frappuccinos…
In the summer, sipping on a cool, sweet Frappuccino is a nice way of getting a little coffee buzz, but with the amount of sugar and fat (especially if you opt for whipped cream) you might as well be drinking a milkshake. Getting a simple iced coffee is a much better alternative in terms of calories and caffeine since Frappuccinos don’t have much coffee in them. If you’re after the texture, a much healthier option for both your figure and your wallet is to make your own Frappuccino at home. Simply add cold brew coffee, some skim milk, liquid Stevia and a lot of ice to a blender and pulse away. You’ll get the same texture and taste at a fraction of the calories.
