9 Highly Addictive Foods & Their Healthier Alternatives

-

Let's be honest. We all have ​at least​ one "junk food" that makes us go weak in the knees. While it's perfectly fine to enjoy these treats in moderation, many of them include ingredients that are proven to be highly addictive, making them pretty difficult to resist. But what if I told you there's a way you could enjoy all of these guilty pleasures without the guilt and potential health risks? Check out this list of the most common addictive junk foods and their healthier (yet still tasty) alternatives. You're welcome!

Plate with meal, chips, chicken wings and salad

Video of the Day

1. Cheese

A mouthwatering bowl of mac and cheese or fresh order of cheesy fries may be pretty hard to deny, but their high levels of calories, fat and sodium can cause high blood pressure, amongst other things. Consider trying this vegan cheese alternative on your next pasta meal, instead.

Macaroni and cheese

2. Pizza

Nothing beats pizza straight out of the oven, especially on a game day or movie night. However, a standard pizza is pretty loaded with sodium, refined carbs and saturated fat. This vegan spring garden pizza is made with more nutritious ingredients and will still satisfy your craving.

Sliced hot pepperoni pizza on a brown background.

3. French Fries

I get it. These crispy, thin, salty creations are almost impossible to turn down. Unfortunately, their delicious taste doesn't cancel out their potential to actually increase mortality risk. ​Yikes!​ Try these healthier baked veggie fries instead—the flavor combination possibilities are endless.

french fries on wood background

4. Ice Cream

What's not to love about a scoop (or two, or three) of refreshing ice cream on a hot summer day? High amounts of sugar and carbs, that's what. Occasionally substitute the sweet frozen treat with this dairy-free option that will still keep you nice and cool.

Chocolate ice cream

5. Potato Chips

Typical fried potato chips may seem like the perfect grab 'n go snack, but they contain lots of saturated fats, carbs and calories, which can increase risk of obesity. Avoid cutting chips out of your diet altogether and bake your own.

crispy potato chips snack texture background top view

6. Chocolate

Enjoying a nice bar of chocolate can truly be a therapeutic and pleasure-filled experience, but sugar and fat levels tend to be on the higher side. Get this—you can actually enjoy a cup of creamy chocolate mousse made with avocados!

Making chocolate mousse on a wooden table in a rustic kitchen

7. Cookies

When it comes to cookies, the reality is that they're just much better eaten in multiples. The next time you decide to whip up a dozen, skip the fatty ingredients like butter and eggs with these vegan cinnamon sugar cookies or these vegan thin mints.

Plate with chocolate chip cookies on grey background, closeup

8. Cheeseburgers

A juicy beef patty and ooey-gooey cheese slapped between two fluffy buns?—yes, please! However, excessive intake of red meat and saturated fats have been linked to serious health problems including diabetes and kidney failure. Instead of the traditional meat cheeseburger, try this spicy veggie burger recipe.

Delicious handmade burger on wooden background. Close view

9. Cake

I'm a firm believer that every special (and not so special) occasion deserves to be accompanied by a celebratory cake. However, commonly used ingredients such as butter and eggs aren't exactly good for our bodies in large quantities. Worry no longer—here's a gluten free, dairy free cake recipe to save the day.

Woman holding plate with slice of chocolate sponge berry cake on grey background, closeup

Share this article

Recent posts

Teachers’ Top Needs for 2019

0
Teachers’ Top Needs for 2019Great classrooms don’t happen by accident. Teachers across the country work hard to build vibrant, energizing learning environments for their students, which often means ev

Top Tips to Transition Back to Work After Baby

0
Top Tips to Transition Back to Work After BabyMany new parents spend hours preparing for the arrival of a new baby – reading books, seeking professional advice and consulting friends and family. Howev

Get Away Without Going Away

0
Get Away Without Going Away5 family staycation ideas that won’t break your budgetFamily vacations are a great way to bond and take a step back from the hectic schedules that accompany everyday life, b

5 Common Questions for Memorializing a Loved One

0
5 Common Questions for Memorializing a Loved OneOne of the most difficult conversations in a person’s life typically takes place near the end of that life. Planning for a funeral can put an emotional

Boat Safe

0
Boat SafeEnsure your boat is ready for the water with this checklist No matter how much experience you have on the water, prepping your boat – and your passengers – before leaving the dock can make fo

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Recent comments