Comfort Food Alternatives?

Options
kbradford26
kbradford26 Posts: 13
in Recipes
I've found that I can control most of my cravings, except my cravings for those things that are so, so delicious and comforting, but are completely bad for you. I'm talkin' potato chips, perogies, chocolate cake, creamy pasta, apple crumble, COOKIES... Basically anything packed with cream, sugar, carbs and FAT!

I'm a big baker, and I love to cook, so I'm wondering if anyone has any health-i-fied comfort food recipes, or ingredient alternatives, that I could add to my arsenal?
«13

Replies

  • stormbornkraken
    stormbornkraken Posts: 303 Member
    Options
    There is no good substitute for true German chocolate cake. :sad:
    Fruit is a sweet alternative but cannot satiate the way the real stuff does.

    But bump as I am willing to listen to others insight.
  • SloRose
    SloRose Posts: 67
    Options
    Yes! You're in luck, my sister sent me this website rippedrecipes.com, they're all baking recipes for cakes, cupcakes, brownies, all clean eating though! We experimented with a couple recipes last night guilt free!!!! They also list the calories. Not just desserts ether, all types of recipes!
  • kaylaweinzatl
    kaylaweinzatl Posts: 3 Member
    Options
    I just found this website today >> http://www.fitsugar.com/How-Replace-Butter-When-Baking-21875486
    I know butter isn't the only bad thing in desserts but its the most fattening!
    I just tried the avocado and applesauce substitutes and it worked fabulous! I couldn't even tell!
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Options
    eat less of said comfort foods and still enjoy them…or eat less during the day and then enjoy them once a week on Sunday …

    I love chicken parm, lasagna,spaghetti and meatballs, etc…when I want them I just make less of it, or I have less during the day to accommodate the higher calories….
  • Rlyxpop
    Rlyxpop Posts: 6 Member
    Options
    This is a recipe for cauliflower mashed potatoes. I am really looking forward to trying it. :)

    http://undressedskeleton.tumblr.com/post/32193615702
  • trisH_7183
    trisH_7183 Posts: 1,486 Member
    Options
    This is my 1st site to use when looking for recipes.It has nutritional & WW info for every recipe,plus most are delicious.

    http://www.skinnytaste.com
  • JCM1969
    JCM1969 Posts: 141 Member
    Options
    YES! Skinnytaste!
    Im making skinnytaste spaghetti squash and cheese tonight. I swear I like it more that regular mac and cheese.. which tends to be so rich I get a belly ache!
  • squeakybuttcheeks
    squeakybuttcheeks Posts: 54 Member
    Options
    I still eat all of these things, just a lot less. Creamy pasta is my weakness. I just eat less :heart: GL!
  • JJSABA
    JJSABA Posts: 4
    Options
    This is my 1st site to use when looking for recipes.It has nutritional & WW info for every recipe,plus most are delicious.

    http://www.skinnytaste.com

    I agree. I always look to skinnytaste for inspiration. Some i follow exactly, others I derive to make them even healthier and less in calories. Great blog!
  • Julettashane
    Julettashane Posts: 723 Member
    Options
    eat less of said comfort foods and still enjoy them…or eat less during the day and then enjoy them once a week on Sunday …

    I love chicken parm, lasagna,spaghetti and meatballs, etc…when I want them I just make less of it, or I have less during the day to accommodate the higher calories….

    i do this
  • BethFox
    BethFox Posts: 27 Member
    Options
    eat less of said comfort foods and still enjoy them…or eat less during the day and then enjoy them once a week on Sunday …

    I love chicken parm, lasagna,spaghetti and meatballs, etc…when I want them I just make less of it, or I have less during the day to accommodate the higher calories….

    I do the same. I also find that since juicing and adding a pint or so of raw juice a day into my diet that my comfort food cravings have lessened. More nutrients seems to kill the need for fat and salt and sugar.
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,775 Member
    Options
    Comfort food, ie. "food that comforts me and makes me feel better" is eaten based on emotional triggers, rather than physical hunger triggers.

    The best "comfort food alternative" (IMHO) is to learn how to develop better coping skills when dealing with emotional situations/triggers.

    I know, not as easy as following a skinnytaste recipe, but definitely more beneficial in the long run.
  • crevices
    crevices Posts: 226 Member
    Options
    as mentioned above, tons of recipes out there! what i usually do is think of something id like to eat, ex. brownies and start looking for 'healthier' (usually just lower calorie etc:embarassed: ) versions and variations

    a lot of people say just eat in moderation but i've never been able to do so. for example 'moderation' would be like 1/8th of a *real* lasagna but i was able to eat a whole homemade tray to myself because i used eggplant and zucchini as substitutes for lasagna sheets/noodles, and was able to add as much sauce and cheese as i desired. it was even more delicious than traditional lasagna i've had previously, no joke.

    find what works for you and your body, not everybody's the same
  • ValeriePlz
    ValeriePlz Posts: 517 Member
    Options
    Mrs. T's potato and onion pierogi are only 160 calories for 3 pierogi - and pour on the Frank's Red Hot (0 calories) for a delightful comfort food!
  • jeninthed
    jeninthed Posts: 20 Member
    Options
    vrs668 you are my pierogi savior! I have been craving these recently!
  • ValeriePlz
    ValeriePlz Posts: 517 Member
    Options
    Haha, happy to help. I also happen to be eating these for lunch. (I also dip them in plain Greek yogurt, which I use as a sour cream substitute.)
  • Amberlynnek
    Amberlynnek Posts: 405 Member
    Options
    I'm talkin' potato chips, perogies, chocolate cake, creamy pasta, apple crumble, COOKIES... Basically anything packed with cream, sugar, carbs and FAT!

    I'm a big baker, and I love to cook, so I'm wondering if anyone has any health-i-fied comfort food recipes, or ingredient alternatives, that I could add to my arsenal?

    Potato Chips : homemade baked veggie chips, veggie straws or snap pea crisps, Popcorn too - pinterest has a lot of savory popcorn ideas other than salt and butter

    Pierogi: Frozen ones can be pretty calorie friendly if you follow the portion size. Bake them instead of fry them.

    Chocolate Cake: 3-2-1 cake. Mix 1 box angel food with 1 box chocolate cake mix and store for use. 3tbsp mix, 2 tbps water, 1 minute in the microwave in a coffee mug. As long as you use angel food, the second box can be any flavor.

    Creamy pasta: Replace noodles with spaghetti squash. Create single serve rouxs with LF milk and light butter. Or use LF cream cheese or goat cheese as a base.

    Apple Crumble: There are a ton of friendly recipes online for this http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=11935

    Cookies: http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/healthy-cookies-00412000073008/

    healthy subs: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/desserts/low-calorie/healthy-baking-tips-substitutions/

    Great healthy dessert recipes: www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com

    Stay away from undressed skeleton - her recipes do not turn out well at all!

    Its a good thing you love to bake, because healthy subs take a lot of extra work! Good luck!
  • nmncare
    nmncare Posts: 168 Member
    Options
    I'm talkin' potato chips, perogies, chocolate cake, creamy pasta, apple crumble, COOKIES... Basically anything packed with cream, sugar, carbs and FAT!

    I'm a big baker, and I love to cook, so I'm wondering if anyone has any health-i-fied comfort food recipes, or ingredient alternatives, that I could add to my arsenal?

    Potato Chips : homemade baked veggie chips, veggie straws or snap pea crisps, Popcorn too - pinterest has a lot of savory popcorn ideas other than salt and butter

    Pierogi: Frozen ones can be pretty calorie friendly if you follow the portion size. Bake them instead of fry them.

    Chocolate Cake: 3-2-1 cake. Mix 1 box angel food with 1 box chocolate cake mix and store for use. 3tbsp mix, 2 tbps water, 1 minute in the microwave in a coffee mug. As long as you use angel food, the second box can be any flavor.

    Creamy pasta: Replace noodles with spaghetti squash. Create single serve rouxs with LF milk and light butter. Or use LF cream cheese or goat cheese as a base.

    Apple Crumble: There are a ton of friendly recipes online for this http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=11935

    Cookies: http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/healthy-cookies-00412000073008/

    healthy subs: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/desserts/low-calorie/healthy-baking-tips-substitutions/

    Great healthy dessert recipes: www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com

    Stay away from undressed skeleton - her recipes do not turn out well at all!

    Its a good thing you love to bake, because healthy subs take a lot of extra work! Good luck!

    You guys are awesome. :flowerforyou:
  • honsi
    honsi Posts: 210 Member
    Options
    The recipes on this website look good http://deliciouslyella.com/vegan-sweet-potato-brownies-gluten-free/
    but the ingredients look quite expensive. I also use skinnytaste.com
  • ValeriePlz
    ValeriePlz Posts: 517 Member
    Options
    Also, has anyone tried baking brownies with black beans instead of oil / eggs? I heard you can do it with all kinds of recipes and it really bumps up the protein and fiber, even the moistness! My coworker brought some in and I couldn't taste the beans, they were just nice, moist brownies.

Categories