I take my health and nutrition very seriously. That being said, I also love my comfort foods! One of the most daunting and even downright spooky parts of changing my diet years ago was the thought of having to give up the things I loved. My cheat junk foods.The awesome news is that I have found some much better alternatives to some of the things that I had to take out of my diet. These healthier junk foods taste incredible, but without at least some of the negatives that their unhealthier counterparts contain. This page is dedicated to sharing with you some of my favorites. Most are organic, gluten-free, lower in carbs/sugars and keto safe.
These are now staples in my house. I know that there will be times in my life when I need to cave and indulge in some yummy treats. Having them around keeps me from going even deeper into the dark side of some really unhealthy stuff. Check them out and let me know what you think!
MY FAVORITE HEALTHY “ISH” JUNK FOODS:
Most of these foods can be found in your local health food store. They are also available online at sites like Vitacost or Amazon (links are to Amazon).
Lesser Evil Organic Paleo Puffs: These delicious treats are made with quality, simple and nutritious ingredients – lower glycemic cassava root, sweet potato, coconut oil, Himalayan salt. They are baked not fried and come in a variety of flavors, including Salt ‘N Apple Cider Vinegar, Himalayan Pink Salt, “No Cheese” Cheesiness and Fiery Hot (these last two taste a bit like Cheetos). All of them are super tasty! The brand Lesser Evil makes some other great products as well, like their Veggie Sticks.
Siete Grain Free Tortilla Chips: These are a fantastic replacement for standard corn chips. They are light and crunchy. Two big benefits: first, they use primarily lower glycemic gluten-free cassava flour instead of corn. Cassava is grain free, paleo friendly, a pre-biotic, and packed with nutrition. Second, they are fried in avocado oil instead of the highly inflammatory industrial seed vegetable oils most chips are fried in (which should be avoided at all costs!). They are deep-fried, so still not quite a health food but a much better alternative when you feel like you just can’t go without some chips.
Quinn Paleo-friendly Pretzel Chips: Grain-free and gluten-free pretzels that actually deliver on great taste. They are very crunchy and great with dips. Made with cassava flour, a root vegetable. Baked and topped with rock salt.
Lesser Evil Organic Buddha Bowl Popcorn: A great popcorn that uses coconut oil instead of the highly inflammatory industrial seed vegetable oils most popcorn brands use (which should be avoided at all costs!). Very nice taste.
Birch Benders Paleo Pancake & Waffle Mix: I’m addicted to this stuff! Their Cassava-root base delivers delicious, grain-free, low-glycemic, low carb, pre-biotic nutrition with the fluffy texture of traditional recipes, with almond and coconut flours adding fiber, protein, a hint of natural sweetness. Low carb and keto-friendly. I like to mix in some frozen blueberries or dark chocolate chips to the mix before cooking.
Birch Benders Paleo Toaster Waffles: These are pre-made, light and fluffy, and so incredible. You can find these pre-made frozen waffles at many health food stores, including Whole Foods.
Simple Mills Almond Flour Pumpkin Bread or Muffin Mix: Love this mix. I’m a pumpkin freak, so hits my sweet spot. Lightly sweet and delicious.
Hu Hunks Vegan Chocolate Covered Cashews with Vanilla Bean: These chocolate-covered cashews are off the charts good! They contain organic cacao, unrefined organic coconut sugar, organic fair-trade cocoa butter, vanilla bean and sea salt. It’s that simple.
Absolutely Gluten Free Original Crackers: These are my favorite gluten-free crackers. they are made with tapioca and potato starch but taste shockingly like a classic wheat flour cracker. Wouldn’t call these the absolute healthiest choice, but very tasty if you insist on a better alternative.
UNREAL Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars: These are delicious for when I just think I can’t live without a little candy. Taste surprisingly like Mounds candy bars. They have three simple ingredients: Organic Coconut, Organic Cassava Syrup & Dark Chocolate. Only 3 grams of sugar. UNREAL makes other good alternative candy that tastes and looks like some of your favorites but are lower in sugar and other bad ingredients.
These are just some of my favorites, you can find a lot more like this at your local health food store.
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