5 Healthy Foods to Satisfy Your Junk Food Craving
Have you ever had a craving for a bag of chips, ice cream, or a Snickers bar? Have you ever wanted it so bad that you eat it and regret it as soon as you feel that heavy rock in the bottom of your stomach? Stop grabbing the junk and discover these healthy foods for a delicious and healthier way of snacking. Cure your craving and feel better with nutrient-rich snacks that can replace the junk food that you used to dream about! These five healthy foods are full of flavor and can leave you void of regret, energized, and ready to take on your day.
1. Sriracha Popcorn
Sriracha popcorn is a bundle of deliciousness that you didn’t even know you wanted. This healthy and savory combination with a punch is packed full of flavor: the saltiness of the popcorn and the kick of the chili peppers in the sriracha oil mingle to create a snack that tastes like a whole meal. I recommend Boom Chica Pop’s Sea Salt Organic healthy food popcorn, the light, fluffy brand that both you and your tastebuds can feel good about eating. Grab a tall, flavor-filled bottle of Benissimo’s Spicy Sriracha Oil from Walmart or Amazon. Sriracha oil is versatile and can be used to marinate, cook, or, of course, drizzle on a steaming bowl of popcorn. Pop your popcorn in the microwave until desired, pull out and open carefully, and pour into a bowl. Grab your bottle of sriracha oil, shake well to distribute flavor, and drizzle over the popcorn and mix. Take a seat in your favorite spot, lean back, and enjoy the explosion of flavors in your mouth with this healthy food. The bowl can empty before you know it, as you thoughtlessly grab handful after handful of this healthy food. Fear not though, this healthy food can be enjoyed until your heart’s content and your belly is full. I will forewarn you, you may want to buy a couple of boxes of popcorn because once the sriracha party stops, it’s hard to stop.
2. Hummus & Carrots
Hummus is a Mediterranean dip known for its savory flavor and healthy attributes. Hummus is made up of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, and parsley; overall a pretty healthy food. You can either make this healthy food at home or grab it at the grocery store. Healthy hummus can improve blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and much more. Add this richly flavored and beneficial dip to your diet. To dip, use the bright orange, crunchy, salty, and savory all wrapped in one carrot. Carrots carry antioxidants, vitamin K1 and can help with eye health. Together, this flavor combination is truly a whole healthy food. Take a container of hummus on the go along with a handy baggie of carrots. Eat this snack when you want something with a crunch, like a bag of chips. Instead of giving into the option void of nutritional value, opt for the hummus and carrot crunchy and delicious duo! Eat to your heart’s desire and your tastebud’s satisfaction with this nutrient-rich and craving-curing healthy food.
3. Guacamole & Cucumbers
Do your taste buds and your health a favor with guacamole and cucumbers. This green healthy food can replace your savory craving that calls to you throughout your day. You can buy the guacamole from the store, a local restaurant, or you can make it using fresh ingredients in your own kitchen. In order to make guacamole, use about three ripened avocados. Cut them in half with a knife while circling the pit, pull apart both sides, remove the pit, and peel away the outer layer of the avocado. Once you have completed those steps, smash the avocado in a bowl until it is in small chunks using a fork or mashed potato masher. Add a squeeze of fresh lime or bottled lime juice, finely chopped cilantro and onions, and freshly diced tomatoes; all healthy foods! Season with salt, pepper, and a little cayenne for spice. Once you season it, the guacamole is done! Instead of using the common tortilla chip, use cucumbers to dip. Cut the cucumbers into ¾ inch slices and dip your heart out! This healthy food not only packs flavor but is a bundle of vitamins and nutrients to help you conquer your day!
4. Dried Fruit & Nut Mix
This sweet and savory mixture will have you stuffing handfuls of this health food into your mouth until you can’t eat anymore. Start by choosing your favorite nuts. I prefer to use lightly salted cashews and almonds, but there are so many other options like pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and more! Once you choose all of your protein-rich nuts, choose some dried fruits. I use juicy dried cherries, dried cranberries, and raisins. The saltiness of the nuts and the sweetness of the dried fruits mingle to create a scrumptious healthy food. Grab a baggie or container, fill it with all of your favorite nuts and fruits, and mix the healthy foods together! With healthy food full of protein and vitamins, you will never have to feel guilty about this pleasure. This snack is great for on the go and a perfect flavor combination to cure your craving and your hunger.
5. Fruit & Granola Parfait
Fruit and granola parfaits are good healthy foods that can be a morning fuel or a midnight snack. Start by spreading a layer of vanilla Greek yogurt in the bottom of a cup or bowl. Add either fresh fruit or cook the fruit down into a compote using a little water, and a sprinkle of cornstarch and sugar on low heat. Good fruits for parfaits are strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples and so much more! Layer the fruit on top of the first layer of yogurt, distributing it to your liking. Continue that process a few more times until you have about three layers of both fruit and yogurt. Once done layering, top it with granola. You can either buy the healthy granola from the store, or make it fresh by mixing oats and honey, spreading the mixture evenly on a parchment-covered sheet pan, and baking at 350 degrees in the oven until crispy. Garnish the top of the parfait with a few more pieces of fruit for appeal. Once you are done, you have a scrumptious healthy food that goes on spoonful after spoonful, layer after layer. Lean back, grab a spoon, and enjoy the healthy flavors of this smooth and sweet food.
