Making Comfort Food Healthy
Various people deal with stress differently. While some love to hang out with friends to take their minds off their current problems, others prefer to spend a relaxing evening at home. There are also people who cope with stress by eating their comfort foods. It doesn’t have to be fancy; it can be that tasty main course from the catering in that wedding you just attended or a simple but delectable dessert from your favorite store. What matters most is how it automatically erases your problems, even if only for a moment, with just one bite.
Most of the time though, that food or cuisine you crave may be packed with calories that do more harm than good to your body. This doesn’t mean that you need to completely give up your comfort food though. Get the best of both worlds and enjoy the best comfort foods without worrying about health risks! Check their healthier versions below.
Oven Baked Chicken
The only thing better than a good old fried chicken is fried chicken smothered in gravy. With so many options for fried chicken around, it’s only a matter of time before you give in to that voice in your head and sink your teeth in a perfect mix of crunchy chicken skin and tender, juicy white meat.
However, fried foods can be unhealthy, especially since they increase the risk of developing cancer or diabetes. If you want a healthier alternative, substitute that deep fryer for an oven and remove all those excess oils. Instead of using a regular breading mix where all the unnecessary calories come from, utilize a simple bread crumbs mix using whole wheat. The baking process will naturally draw out the juices from the chicken and perfectly crisp the outside, giving you the same sensation that you get when eating fried chicken.
No Bread BLTs
BLT is the go-to sandwich for plenty of people. One can easily order it from fast food restaurants or make one at home since it’s pretty simple to make. This prominent sandwich mixes crispy bacon, zesty tomatoes, and refreshing lettuce. Topped with a helping of mayonnaise and your favorite bread, the BLT is simply delicious.
In spite of this, you should think of replacing the bacon, mayonnaise, and bread with healthier alternatives. For instance, instead of using regular white bread, use whole wheat bread or even Iceberg Lettuce to reduce your carbohydrate intake. In addition, instead of frying the bacon, use your oven to take out those nasty oils from your sandwich. You can also mix your own mayonnaise using yogurt and pepper to add more flavor.
Light Mac N Cheese
Nothing compares to the combination of melted cheese and fun macaroni pasta. This is the epitome of comfort food and it’s hard to think that there is any alternative for this dish. But the truth is, you can actually make your mac and cheese healthier just by changing some of the ingredients. Don’t worry because doing so will not entirely make your favorite comfort food taste differently.
There are many variations of this dish; you can create it with different kinds of cheeses and various toppings – the options and ideas are basically limitless. However, the main factor you can change in your macaroni and cheese recipe is the cheese mix. Look at alternative low-fat or skim cheeses and milk to replace the usual in order to cut your fat intake. Same with the butter and sour cream because changing these will give you a lighter version of this dish . If you want, you can also try using whole wheat macaroni as well.
With these healthier versions of your favorite comfort foods, you won’t have to sacrifice health for comfort anymore. You can truly have the best of both worlds now! Just learn to use the right ingredients as well as methods and you can enjoy your favorite foods on a regular basis.
