Comfort food is nothing short of delicious — after all, it is by definition the dishes that make you nostalgic for years past, especially your childhood. But something you may not realize about comfort food? It’s also characterized with a heavy load of carbohydrates, sugar and fat — which can send your daily recommended intake way out of whack.
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But the good news is that we’ve found 12 ways to lighten up some of your favorite classics, including chili, fries and pasta. Oh, and of course some dessert, too. Whip up one (or a few) of these comfort food recipes this week for seven days’ worth of healthier eats.
Comfort Food Recipes: Starters and Snacks Menu
1. Vegan Artichoke Dip
It tastes just like your favorite restaurant-style, everyone-gets-a-bite appetizer dip, but is significantly lower in calories and fat because it’s dairy-free. Instead, white beans lend the appetizer its creamy texture; garlic, shallots and lemons give its delicious taste. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
2. Spicy Sweet Potato Fries with Avocado Dip
Baking these sweet potatoes saves you a ton of fat (instead of employing the use of a deep fryer), but the end product is just as tasty. Plus, it’s antioxidant packed with vitamins A and C, too. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
Comfort Food Recipes: Main Dishes Menu
3. Turkey Chili
Serve up a warm bowl of this chili for a crowd-pleasing meal. Skip the sour cream and shredded cheese, instead, try Daiya Vegan Shreds and a dollop of Greek yogurt for a similar taste but significantly less fat. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
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4. Crispy Oven “Fried” Chicken
Without even thinking, you can save 150 calories and 10 grams of fat per drumstick by removing the skin, coating the chicken in gluten-free corn flakes and using olive oil cooking spray. Done and done, right? Photo and recipe: Carmen Sturdy / Life by Daily Burn
5. Protein-Packed Mac and Cheese
Don’t knock this trick ‘til you try it, but the best way to make good old mac and cheese better may surprise you: The addition of eggs. It cuts down on the carbs and adds protein plus vitamins like biotin to the classic crowd-pleasing dish. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
6. Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers
There’s nothing like a juicy burger, but when you’re looking to lighten things up a ground-beef patty isn’t the place to start. (Especially keeping last summer’s recall in mind.) And with black beans, you’ll get just as much protein, but without the saturated fat. Score! Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
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7. Healthier Grilled Cheese
If grilled cheese doesn’t bring you back to your lunchbox days, we’re not sure what will. But thanks to sprouted whole-grain bread, low-fat cheese and a handful of greens, you’ve also got a ton of nutrients, which is nothing but adult-like. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
8. Zucchini Noodles and Meatballs
Ahhh, zoodles: They’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. Kinda literally. Using the veggie in place of pasta ups the fiber content, plus adds a hit of folate, which supports metabolism, and magnesium, which plays a major role in sleep, too. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
9. Low-Carb BLT
This carb-free wrap showcases what we love most about BLTs: bacon! Swapping mayo for a slice of avocado and hard-boiled egg replaces the spread’s bad fats with good ones, and the lettuce wrap circumvents the need for bread altogether. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
10. Mini Meatloafs
Just like Mom made them, except cuter. More importantly, our version is far healthier by swapping out veal and pork for lean turkey. The bite-sized pieces help keep your portion size in check, too. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
Comfort Food Recipes: Dessert Menu
11. Frosty Protein Shake
Remember that fast-food shake you’d get as a kid? This is the adult version, souped up with our plant-based Fuel-6 protein powder. With a potassium-rich banana plus a few other basics, dessert is done. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
12. Chocolate Molten Lava Cake
Believe it: This gluten-free, five-minute microwave mug cake is under 300 calories per serving, making it a ridiculously satisfying treat that equals a fraction of its less-healthy predecessor. The secret ingredient? Fuel-6, of course. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn