Healthy Alternatives to Traditional Food Ingredients
Making changes to our diet can be challenging, but switching up traditional ingredients for healthier alternatives is a great way to start. We’ve compiled some of the most popular food ingredients and put together some healthy alternatives:
Flour
Traditional flour is made from white bread grains which are processed, making it a refined grain. Refined grains are stripped of essential nutrition and contain fewer dietary fibers. Healthy alternatives include:
- Whole wheat flour: A good option as it is higher in dietary fibers and minerals that processed flour is lacking.
- Almond or coconut flour: Gluten-free options that provide more dietary fibers, protein and healthy fats compared to refined flour.
- Chickpea flour: Another great gluten-free alternative that is high in protein, calcium, and iron and contains no unhealthy fats or sodium.
Butter
Traditional butter is made from processed cream which is high in saturated fat. This type of fat has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Healthy alternatives include:
- Avocado: A great butter substitute as avocadoes are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats and contain more essential vitamins and minerals than butter.
- Olive oil: Another monounsaturated fat which is lower in saturated fat than butter.
- Nut butter: Contains a variety of healthy fats, fiber, protein and vitamins. Almonds and cashews are among the healthiest nut options.
Sugar
Traditional sugar can increase blood glucose levels and be unhealthy if consumed in high amounts. Healthy alternatives include:
- Honey: A good option as it contains trace minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. However, it is still a high-calorie food and should be consumed in moderation.
- Maple syrup: Another healthy alternative as it contains minerals, antioxidants and is lower in calories than sugar.
- Stevia: A natural artificial sweetener derived from the Stevia plant. It has zero calories and does not raise blood glucose levels.
Making healthy changes to our diets can take time and effort, but simple swaps like the ones mentioned above can make a huge difference. Some of these alternatives may seem strange at first but with a bit of experimentation you can find the ones that work for you.