Wondering how you can eat a little more empowered without totally changing your diet?
Healthy doesn’t have to be hard. I believe that simple changes can lead to big transformation when it comes to increasing energy, adding vibrancy to skin, and boosting health from the inside out. The key is making those small changes consistent.
I’ve rounded up my top (6) simple nutritious swaps that you can add on the fly and then start incorporating into your everyday routine. Each will get you plenty of (healthy) bang for your buck.
Here are (6) Simple Swap Ingredients you can feel GREAT about!
#1. Instead of: Dairy Milk
Swap for: Plant-Based Mylk
If you’re looking to cut down on dairy, try swapping it for a plant-based mylk like unsweetened Almond, Cashew, Coconut, Hemp, or my personal favorite Flax mylk (love the creamy texture). Make sure to opt for “unsweetened” and read the label to ensure it doesn’t contain any nasty preservatives and chemicals…..or better yet, make your own! (Recipe)
#2. Instead of: Traditional Mayonnaise
Swap for: Avocado, Tahini or Hummus
Traditional Mayo contains sugar, preservatives and a list of “fake” ingredients you definitely don’t want in your body. It’s just as simple, definitely more nutritious, and cost-effective to make your own!! The best part?!? Tahini, hummus, and/or avocado can all be used for multiple purposes! They all make great dips, toppings, sandwich spreaders….to just name a few. Check out a few of my favorite recipes using these ingredients on my blog.
#3. Instead of: Sugar
Swap for: Cinnamon (try this one)
Oh Cinnamon, let me count the many ways I love YOU! Sprinkle cinnamon into your morning cup of coffee, matcha or turmeric “pick me up”, use as a topping on your favorite oatmeal, use a teaspoon in your favorite morning smoothie. It is one of my favorite superfoods, natural metabolism boosters, and sugar alternatives. This beautiful, warming, spice will give you the sweetness you want without raising blood sugar levels…..not to mention it’s FULL of amazing, heart-healthy antioxidants.
#4. Instead of: Dairy Cheese
Swap for: Nutritional yeast (here at Amazon)
Nutritional yeast truly is a superfood! It’s a great source of B Vitamins and has a nutty, cheese-like flavor (that can become pretty addictive…mark my words!). Sprinkle it on your favorite roasted or stir-fried veggies, stir it into dressings, or use it in this recipe, use it as a topping on your favorite “better for you” pasta.
#5. Instead of: High Glycemic Sugar (such as white/brown/cane)
Swap for: Lower Glycemic Coconut sugar (like this one)
This is one of my “go-to” sugar swaps for baking if I am looking to cut down on the sugar and not wreck the recipe! Coconut sugar has a bit of a nutty flavor sweetness, without being over sweet. I love that it won’t send you on a major blood sugar crash!
#6. Instead of: Cocoa powder
Swap for: Cacao powder (like this one from Amazon)
Cocoa powder is processed with high heat, destroying most of the natural nutrients (think mega antioxidants) of the cocoa bean along the way. Swap instead for raw cacao powder, which is processed via a cold-press method that allows the raw chocolate to retain its enzymes, minerals, and high antioxidant count.