Food Substitutions

Eating a full clean diet takes a large amount of discipline that most of us don’t always have.  I confess, I don’t even have that much discipline!  But there are some simple and practical substitutions we can do in our every food habits. 

A big everyday item for many people is Coffee Creamer!  Being an avid coffee drinker, I relate.  A good substitute (that I even use now) is Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk.  For those of you with nut allergies, there is also soy and rice milks that also make a good substitute and are still better for you.  The average coffee creamer contains 5-6 grams of sugar whereas the unsweetened alternative milk option contains ZERO grams of sugar! Mind you, it won’t taste the same, but it is an option that is easy to get used to and become your preference.

These alternative milks are great for using as substitutes for milk in general as well.  They contain less fact that your average milk (even skim milk) product and usually contain more calcium.  For those who have a lactose intolerance, the alternative milk is a great option and depending on preference, not a bad substitute.  I will sit and have a glass of my almond milk with dinner sometimes.  Another great thing about the almond and soy milk options is that they are high in magnesium, which is great for the headache and migraine sufferers.

Coconut oil is another great ingredient to keep around the house.  If I decide to bake, I use the solidified version of coconut oil around and if I am cooking or making dressings that require a liquid oil, I have the liquid version as well.  Yes, it is slightly more expensive, but well worth it.  Coconut oil is known for its health benefits in regards to heart disease by increasing your GOOD cholesterol. It is also known to aid in weight loss, digestion, and even hair and skin care.  I have provided a link that details the benefits more in depth, but keep in mind, moderation is essential in everything. Too much of a good thing can turn into serious problems. https://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/

I could inundate you for days on more food substitutions, but there will definitely be more posts to come.  Learning how to substitute your everyday bad habit foods can make a world of difference in the long run.  Once you learn how to properly use these substitutions, making a healthy lifestyle change becomes easier by the minute.