What Are Your Food Alternatives

NicoleMichael62
NicoleMichael62 Posts: 50 Member
edited September 2016 in Health and Weight Loss
Do you guys have any go to alternatives for the not so healthy food you love?

Instead of potato chips what do you have?
Instead of a chocolate bar what do you have?
Instead of bacon wh....there is no substitute for bacon! :'(

Would love to know your healthy alternatives.
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Replies

  • T0M_K
    T0M_K Posts: 7,526 Member
    maybe turkey bacon...but all things are in play within your calorie goal.
  • itsmemalak
    itsmemalak Posts: 21 Member
    Kale chips or (i know its weird) but i really like nori sheets, i put them in the oven very quickly and i eat them like chips lol

    Dark chocolate but usually when i want something sweet i do a banana icecream (blended frozen banana) and i sprinkle some granola and dark chocolate chips on it. Its so good

    I never really ate bacon but maybe try turkey bacon? It's less calories, i try to cut red meat as much as i can tbh
  • NicoleMichael62
    NicoleMichael62 Posts: 50 Member
    Tomk652015 wrote: »
    maybe turkey bacon...but all things are in play within your calorie goal.

    I refuse!!! I have a feeling it just wouldn't taste as good. Hahaha.
  • NicoleMichael62
    NicoleMichael62 Posts: 50 Member
    itsmemalak wrote: »
    Kale chips or (i know its weird) but i really like nori sheets, i put them in the oven very quickly and i eat them like chips lol

    Dark chocolate but usually when i want something sweet i do a banana icecream (blended frozen banana) and i sprinkle some granola and dark chocolate chips on it. Its so good

    I never really ate bacon but maybe try turkey bacon? It's less calories, i try to cut red meat as much as i can tbh

    I love the frozen banana idea. That sounds really good cause I love bananas.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    NicoleMichael62 wrote: »
    Tomk652015 wrote: »
    maybe turkey bacon...but all things are in play within your calorie goal.

    I refuse!!! I have a feeling it just wouldn't taste as good. Hahaha.

    It doesn't.. :( this was an alternative that failed for me. :(
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    *Shrugs* A couple pieces, heck even three or four, pieces of bacon isn't that calorific. I eat the bacon.

    I also eat the chocolate and the chips. Chocolate more likely on a workout day, chips in a single serve bag.

    If it fit (my calories) I eats.
  • NicoleMichael62
    NicoleMichael62 Posts: 50 Member
    Glad to see everyone loves a bit of bacon in their lives. LOL.

    I honestly have a few healthy chip options (I like the sweet potato, quinoa and beet chips from Terra) and for chocolate I just try to portion control and go for the dark kind.

    But bacon you just can't! LOL. Only my willpower can help me cause turkey bacon isn't where its at. :D
  • realcalm
    realcalm Posts: 63 Member
    For chips, a sourdough pretzel
  • theresakruse48
    theresakruse48 Posts: 76 Member
    Turkey bacon is yummy! And i eat protein bars in place of a candy bar..and in place of ice cream I have a protein shake...but like others have said, sometimes you just have to eat the real thing and fit it into your calories!
  • Golbat
    Golbat Posts: 276 Member
    I don't like bacon. I love potato chips. I try to satisfy myself with popcorn or something, but whatever. And I'm allergic to chocolate so I never have that and don't miss it.
  • ahoy_m8
    ahoy_m8 Posts: 3,053 Member
    edited September 2016
    Total agreement. No substitute for bacon. Or chocolate for that matter. And I have both frequently-- not daily but usually once or more a week. I'm not that into chips, but if I want some, I'll weigh & eat them, too. Or if in a restaurant, I'll have a few (3-5) just for the taste, which generally reminds me I'd rather spend the calories on things I like more. Maybe if at home try air popped popcorn instead of chips? I like popcorn better than chips, though.

    The one thing I do pretty consistently is if I'm serving a main dish with pasta, rice or couscous for my family, I'll serve mine on fresh spinach instead. I don't know if you would call that a substitution because spinach in no way approximates rice, but it often tastes really good with the curry or stir fry or beans whatever I made for the rice and it is a lot of volume & nutrition with few calories.

    I also make a couple fat bombs (sugarless flourless brownies & ricotta lemon cake) that substitute as desserts (well, they actually ARE desserts) while helping me with my macros.

    And diet sodas. Don't have them every day, but I like one every now and then and dislike sugary ones.
  • RandiNoelle
    RandiNoelle Posts: 374 Member
    PB2 powder for my peanut butter fix (when I don't have the calories left for the real thing)
    Halo Top vs Ben & Jerry's for my ice cream fix
    Xtreme Wellness and Sprouts tortillas (50 - 80 calories) vs traditional flour tortillas (210 calories on average)
    Laughing Cow cheese spreads instead of regular cheese for wraps
    Special K pop chips vs regular potato chips
    Single serving popcorn bags!!
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,332 Member
    I also eat them if I want them. I just fit them within my calories, and strive to have the majority of my food be nutritious.
  • cmjlavallee
    cmjlavallee Posts: 28 Member
    There are a few things I have tried and enjoy...

    I really like chicken breakfast sausage (alfresco is the brand I use, very yummy)
    I like baked chips or veggie straws for my chip cravings
    I've used the Olive Oil based Mayo that has less calories and have recently found and fell in love with yogurt dips that have only 25 calories to 2 TBSP (Chobani). I've been using this instead of mayo and making chicken salad with cucumbers, pickles, etc. I've found flavors like onion, roasted red pepper, chili lime.
    I too indulge in dark chocolate, Godiva, Ghirardelli or Dove. Usually just a square with my coffee in the afternoon.
    I can also enjoy low fat cheese slices when on a sandwich
    Also use sandwich thins instead of bread.

    I know you can eat whatever fits into your calories but some of these have helped my calories go a bit further during the day. Good luck!
  • Trish1c
    Trish1c Posts: 549 Member
    Instead of potato chips eat air popped pop corn or just eat 1 portion which is about 12 chips. You have to count them out & then put the bag away.

    Instead of a chocolate candy bar I was eating Fiber One brownies for less than 100 calories plus 5g of fiber! 2-3 Hershey's kisses also helps. They say a small amount of dark chocolate is good for you.

    I've learned to make my mashed potatoes with cauliflower.

    Instead of sugared soda I now drink water. I really hate diet soda so that's not an option for me.
  • NicoleMichael62
    NicoleMichael62 Posts: 50 Member
    theresakruse48 wrote: »
    Turkey bacon is yummy! And i eat protein bars in place of a candy bar..and in place of ice cream I have a protein shake...but like others have said, sometimes you just have to eat the real thing and fit it into your calories!

    I have switched to coconut/soy milk ice cream bars. Which are actually pretty good. I tried one brand of a protein shake and I couldn't stomach the first sip. It was gross.

    I know what you mean...to satisfy your craving sometimes you just gotta have the real thing.
  • NicoleMichael62
    NicoleMichael62 Posts: 50 Member
    ahoy_m8 wrote: »
    Total agreement. No substitute for bacon. Or chocolate for that matter. And I have both frequently-- not daily but usually once or more a week. I'm not that into chips, but if I want some, I'll weigh & eat them, too. Or if in a restaurant, I'll have a few (3-5) just for the taste, which generally reminds me I'd rather spend the calories on things I like more. Maybe if at home try air popped popcorn instead of chips? I like popcorn better than chips, though.

    The one thing I do pretty consistently is if I'm serving a main dish with pasta, rice or couscous for my family, I'll serve mine on fresh spinach instead. I don't know if you would call that a substitution because spinach in no way approximates rice, but it often tastes really good with the curry or stir fry or beans whatever I made for the rice and it is a lot of volume & nutrition with few calories.

    I also make a couple fat bombs (sugarless flourless brownies & ricotta lemon cake) that substitute as desserts (well, they actually ARE desserts) while helping me with my macros.

    And diet sodas. Don't have them every day, but I like one every now and then and dislike sugary ones.

    Those sugarless flourless brownies sound amazing! I usually have one of those 90 calorie fibre 1 brownies if I am craving that.
  • kenyainez
    kenyainez Posts: 222 Member
    edited September 2016
    I have bacon every morning. Low sodium but still. Two strips only costs me 80 calories with 7 grams of fat and I can fit that in anywhere! LMBO

    I do substitute some things though....
    Instead of ground beef I use ground turkey
    Instead of beef sausage I use chicken
    Instead of white pasta I use whole wheat
    Instead of whole milk I use almond
    Instead of using the regular canned tomato sauce; I'll either get no salt added or make my own with fresh tomatoes

    I do a ton of remixing, but I realize you can't remix everything, so if I want M&M's, Twix, or a bag of Doritos then I eat it if I can fit it in my macros for the day.
  • alyssa0061
    alyssa0061 Posts: 652 Member
    NicoleMichael62 wrote: »
    Do you guys have any go to alternatives for the not so healthy food you love?

    Instead of potato chips what do you have?
    Instead of a chocolate bar what do you have?
    Instead of bacon wh....there is no substitute for bacon! :'(

    Would love to know your healthy alternatives.

    1. Air popped popcorn, 100 calorie bags of Pop Chips, 1 serving of puffy Cheetos
    2. A protein bar - calories but more filling, 2 squares dark chocolate
    3. Turkey bacon or regular bacon
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    NicoleMichael62 wrote: »
    theresakruse48 wrote: »
    Turkey bacon is yummy! And i eat protein bars in place of a candy bar..and in place of ice cream I have a protein shake...but like others have said, sometimes you just have to eat the real thing and fit it into your calories!

    I have switched to coconut/soy milk ice cream bars. Which are actually pretty good. I tried one brand of a protein shake and I couldn't stomach the first sip. It was gross.

    I know what you mean...to satisfy your craving sometimes you just gotta have the real thing.

    And there's often nothing inherently unhealthy or wrong with the real thing either...ironically, coconut and soy milk are much more highly processed than regular old milk (and there's nothing wrong with dairy unless you're intolerant)...which is ironic because milk get some kind of bad wrap and soy/coconut milk is a "health food"....
  • charis2979
    charis2979 Posts: 38 Member
    I don't really deny myself anything either. I tend to "fall off the wagon" if I do. I just limit the amount of what I eat and if it works into my plan for the day then it's in my belly.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    I don't think my alternatives are all that healthy lol. Coffee, diet soda and tea. chug chug. Self abnegation and coffee. Yes, I know I'm messed up.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    Instead of potato chips what do you have?
    1-2 servings of potato chips.

    Instead of a chocolate bar what do you have?
    1 oz or so from that chocolate bar.

    Instead of bacon wh....there is no substitute for bacon! :'(
    I don't like bacon, so I don't need a substitute for what I don't eat! :wink:

    I do have a couple of substitutions I was willing to make: diet soda instead of regular and 1.5% milk instead of whole. Everything else just decreased in amount. To make up for that, I just increased my intake of lower calorie foods.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    NicoleMichael62 wrote: »
    Instead of potato chips what do you have?

    Nada mostly. I've adjusted what I eat to be more satiating so I don't need the snacks, however we do enjoy the occasional batch of the vegetable thins we find at Wal-Mart, usually 20-22 crackers/chips are about 150 calories. However, it's tempting to eat more, so we tend to stay away from it and go for ice cream instead (no sugar added Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom).
    NicoleMichael62 wrote: »
    Instead of a chocolate bar what do you have?

    Again, I go for the Sweet Freedom Ice Cream if I can, it's good fiber and a little protein. But, Skinny Cow brand has a bunch of snacks, including ice cream bars and candy bars, that are lower calorie. But I prefer a good protein bar, usually peanut butter flavored or some sort of chocolate flavor, over a candy bar.
    NicoleMichael62 wrote: »
    Instead of bacon wh....there is no substitute for bacon! :'(

    I honestly don't have an alternative. Turkey bacon is ok for say a BLT, but otherwise I'm not a huge fan. I simply buy the lower sodium versions, and eat less if possible.
    NicoleMichael62 wrote: »
    Would love to know your healthy alternatives.

    Side dishes are an issue for us many times, so things like Macaroni and Cheese or Potato Salad simply get replaced with alternatives like a baked/microwaved potato, or baked cauliflower, or steamed brocolli. A veggie of some sort. Adding in cottage cheese to most meals isn't super expensive on calories if you get the lighter versions and it adds good protein and calcium.

    My absolute favorite snack food is the Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom Ice Cream! It is a good source of fiber, and usually is between 80 to 110 calories per half cup. Certainly a lot less calories than half a bag of chips. If you're going for salty snacks you may want to consider peanuts or nuts of some sort, at least you'll get some protein, but the calories are going to be out of control so make sure you have them. Beef Jerky is an alternative but it's chocked full of sodium.

  • peaceout_aly
    peaceout_aly Posts: 2,018 Member
    NicoleMichael62 wrote: »
    Do you guys have any go to alternatives for the not so healthy food you love?

    Instead of potato chips what do you have?
    Instead of a chocolate bar what do you have?
    Instead of bacon wh....there is no substitute for bacon! :'(

    Would love to know your healthy alternatives.

    Popcorn.
    Quest bar (not much of a chocolate fan to begin with)
    And I still eat bacon LOL
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited September 2016
    I make my own baked potato chips. But I still eat whole grain tortilla chips from Tostitios though.. :(

    Instead of a chocolate bar what do you have?

    I eat mini's or kisses or snack size. But I do like FitCrunch Protein Bars for a chocolate kick with protein.

    Instead of bacon wh....there is no substitute for bacon! :'(

    NO Substitute for bacon.. I just downed a turkey and swiss and I added bacon to it.. NOM NOM NOM.

    Just for tonight am swapping white potatoes tonight for sweet potatoes,

    But I have changed for the better I think, replaced normal microwave butter popcorn for Skinny Pop popcorn, regular ice cream for Sweet Freedom sugar free, regular soda for diet soda, homemade sweet tea for Milo's unsweet tea, and I watch sodium now (no medical reason, but don't want one either) to lower sodium items when I can find them (canned goods, Rotel, etc.)



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