Going on a diet can be confusing and often leaves you with the same
empty feeling as you search for healthy snacks. We've all heard experts
tell us that we shouldn't be eating junk food, but the thought of another rice
cake is going to collectively drive us all insane. So what do the experts
actually eat? They can't all just live on kale and sunshine, right?
Culinary nutritionist Keisha Luke, gave us her secret list of
foods she's eating that you'd probably love to eat as well. It's
important to note that these are not her cheat meals. These foods that you've
been craving ever since you bought that new water bottle and those yoga bottoms
are actually part of her healthy diet — and they should be part of yours, too!
Chocolate
That's right — chocolate can be part of a healthy diet. According
to Luke, "Chocolate has many healthy benefits, including it being high in
magnesium and some amazing anti-inflammatory properties." But not all
chocolate is created equally. Luke cautions that you limit your chocolate fix
to "raw chocolate like cocoa nibs or powder that is without additives and
preservatives." So go ahead and make some brownies, chocolate fudge
cakes, or even a pudding.
Regular
Popcorn
A large AMC popcorn without butter contains 1,030 calories and
41 grams of fat — and that's without the extra fat! But there is a way to have
popcorn and not derail your healthy diet. "Whether it's watching a movie
or as an afternoon snack, popcorn is one of my favourite snack foods," Luke
says. Of course, this is the kind of popcorn you make yourself, not the
packaged, microwavable kind that has a bunch of additives. If you buy some raw
popcorn kernels and pop them yourself, one cup only contains about 30
calories!
Related: Cravings - Enjoy In Moderation?
While she enjoys eating traditional popcorn with butter and salt, she
does have a special hack for it: "Substitute the butter for coconut oil
and add sea salt." If you want to keep it savoury, Luke suggests adding
"nutritional yeast, which will give it a cheese-like flavor while adding
protein to this deliciousness."
Sweet
Popcorn
If you're looking for a sweeter flavor, there's a nutritionist hack for
that, too! Luke says all you have to do is subtract the sea salt and add some
"cinnamon, maple syrup, and hemp seeds." Mix, indulge, and watch your
friends or kids snack away on this healthy fare more often than they do with
some of the packaged stuff.
Pancakes
What? You can still eat pancakes and be healthy? Yes! We're
led to believe that a pancake is full of fat and calories, but it's just not true.
Luke "uses buckwheat flour mixed with ground flax seeds and an array of
spices, like cinnamon, all-spice, and nutmeg, that assist with digestion and
maintaining blood sugar levels — not to mention, adding an abundance of
flavor." She also adds in some vegan protein powder to make it a
balanced meal that could start any guilt-free morning.
Related: 7 Secretly Unhealthy Foods
The
Bottom Line
Beyond snacking, it's also important to realise that the supposed rules
when it comes to eating aren't always accurate. As Luke told us, carbs are
often vilified in many mainstream diet trends, but they're the building
blocks of healthy nutrition. "Substituting complex, whole-grain carbs,
like quinoa, brown rice pasta, sweet potatoes and millet, over the simple
carbs, like foods with white flour, is a healthy approach for your body and
will help stabilise blood sugar levels and maintain energy levels."
You also can't have a healthy weight without a good dose of healthy
fats. "The body needs a combination of both unsaturated (olive oil and
pumpkin seed oil) and saturated fats (chicken, beef, and coconut oil) in order
to maintain energy levels and assist with proper brain and nerve
function," according to Luke. And don't forget that healthy fats also help
maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails, along with absorbing various vital
nutrients within the body. So stop doing what you think the diet calls for and
make smarter decisions instead. You'll enjoy your meals — and be healthier as
well!
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