Nutritionist reveals 10 healthy food swaps to cut sugar and fat from your diet

If you’re dieting and the craving for something on the banned list hits, it can be all too easy to ditch your healthy resolve.

But according to Australian nutritionist Jessica Sepel, a little indulgence isn’t an altogether bad thing and there’s a way to enjoy alternatives without the calories.

In a recent post on her website, Jessica explained one of the benefits of eating a clean diet is that your taste buds adapt and before long you will naturally crave foods that are lower in fat and refined sugar.

Here, the clean-eating nutritionist reveals 10 simple food swaps for pasta, pizza, chocolate and indulgent ice cream and shares some of her best-loved recipes.

Australian nutritionist Jessica Sepel (pictured) has offered 10 healthy swaps you can make if you want to indulge without worrying you’ve broken your diet

1. Swap pizza for cauliflower pizza

Who doesn’t love a pizza laden with cheese and their favourite toppings?

It’s a treat Jessica doesn’t believe should be banned and instead offers an alternative made from a cauliflower base.

And before you think this swap is a flavourless alternative, finely crumbed cauliflower, which has been steamed, then mixed with an egg and flour bakes really well (for extra flavour, Jessica adds a handful of mozzarella).

Once the based has been prepared, add toppings of your choice.

‘I personally adore topping my pizzas with baked eggplant, roasted tomatoes, ricotta and fresh rocket,’ Jessica said.

If you're craving the comfort of pasta, but don't want the extra calories, swapping with zoodles is not only tasty but also much lower in calories

If you’re craving the comfort of pasta, but don’t want the extra calories, swapping with zoodles is not only tasty but also much lower in calories

2. Swap pasta for zoodles

There’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of pasta topped with sauce and Parmesan cheese.

Jessica advises it’s still possible to indulge in this tasty treat, just make it using more wholesome pasta alternatives.

Zoodles, made from spiralised zucchini is one option, however, the nutritionist offers mung bean pasta, pulse pasta, quinoa pasta, brown rice pasta or black bean pasta as alternatives.

‘If you tolerate gluten, wholemeal and spelt pasta varieties are also good options,’ Jessica advised.

It's hard to believe chocolate that looks this good could be healthy and while Jessica's swap is a decadent treat, it's also sugar-free

It’s hard to believe chocolate that looks this good could be healthy and while Jessica’s swap is a decadent treat, it’s also sugar-free

3. Swap chocolate for fig and pistachio bark

A few pieces of chocolate makes for a perfect meal ending, but there aren’t all that many healthy options available. 

Instead, Jessica suggests making your own and offers her recipe for incredibly delicious fig and pistachio bark.

Decadent fig and pistachio bark:

Ingredients: 

 1/2 cup virgin organic coconut oil

1/2 cup raw cacao powder

1 tablespoon hulled tahini

3- 4 tablespoons maple syrup, rice malt syrup, raw honey or coconut sugar 

 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus extra

For sprinkling (optional); a pinch of Celtic sea salt, 1/3 cup pistachio kernels, roughly chopped 1/3 cup dried figs, cut into small chunks  

Method: 

Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Melt the coconut oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the cacao powder, tahini and sweetener of choice. Whisking constantly to stop any lumps forming. Stir in the cinnamon and salt, then remove from the heat.

Set the pan aside for about 5 minutes so the mixture cools slightly and begins to set.

Pour the mixture evenly onto the baking paper.

Scatter the pistachios and figs over the chocolate mixture and finish with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon if you wish.

Cover with plastic film and put it in the freezer for 30- 40 minutes or until set firm.  

4. Swap hot chocolate for warm almond milk with cacao

If you love the taste of hot chocolate, then this swap is sure to please.

Not only is the treat a tasty alternative, but it’s one Jessica calls her ‘perfect sleepy time tonic’.

Her creamy warm almond milk uses a blend of ingredients, including almonds, maca powder and cacao as well as dates, nutmeg and cinnamon for flavour.

The Australian nutritionist doesn't believe in restricting food but she does offer that its possible to make healthy swaps

The Australian nutritionist doesn’t believe in restricting food but she does offer that its possible to make healthy swaps

5. Swap brownies for chocolate, raspberry and peanut butter brownies

Given Jessica lives by a mantra of everything in moderation, it should come as no surprise there’s an alternative to brownies – but one that’s sure to please.

The nutritionist offers a recipe made from real chocolate and raspberries and comes swirled with peanut butter for extra taste.

Raspberry and Peanut Butter Brownies

 2 organic eggs

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/3 cup raw cacao powder

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter, plus 1 tbsp to swirl

1/4 cup maple or rice malt syrup

1/4 cup + 1 tbsp almond milk

1 tbsp chia seeds

1/3 cup 85 per cent dark chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

1 tsp baking powder, pinch of sea salt 

Preheat the oven to 180°C or 320°F. Line a baking tin with baking paper.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs until combined. Then add the coconut flour and raw cacao powder. Stir to combine.

Add peanut butter, maple or rice malt syrup, almond milk and chia seeds and mix until just combined. Stir through chopped dark chocolate & raspberries.

Spoon the mixture evenly into the baking tin. Top with dollops of extra peanut butter and then run a knife through the dollops to create a swirl.

Bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes, or until you insert a skewer and it comes out clean.

Remove the brownie from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Once slightly cooled, cut into brownie squares. Serve warm. 

6. Swap gelato for nice-cream

The nutritionist, whose new app JSHealth is the perfect resource for those wanting recipes and health guidance, reveals nice-cream is her ice cream go-to when she is craving a dessert treat.

And she reveals creating the indulgence couldn’t be easier either.

Simply blend frozen bananas with tahini, sea salt, almond milk, cinnamon, maple syrup (if using) and cinnamon in a food processor until the consistency is like ice cream.

‘Healthy indulgence at its best!’ she said.

Healthy indulgence at its best! Nice-cream made by blending frozen bananas is a great alternative to ice-cream

Healthy indulgence at its best! Nice-cream made by blending frozen bananas is a great alternative to ice-cream

7. Swap popcorn for natural popcorn

Popcorn is a great alternative to chips or other snacks but some varieties can come laden with fat, salt and other flavourings.

Jessica’s recommendation is to swap standard popcorn for natural popcorn. You can either buy this pre-prepared from the supermarket or when making your own ditch butter for olive oil or coconut oil.

The nutritionist says it is possible to enjoy a drink just as long as you choose organic if drinking wine or spritzers for spirits

The nutritionist says it is possible to enjoy a drink just as long as you choose organic if drinking wine or spritzers for spirits

8. Swap alcohol and wine for spritzers and organic alternatives

If you’re watching your weight, alcohol tends to be something you won’t want to indulge in as it can come with laden with extra calories.

Creating a spritzer from gin, vodka or tequila with fresh lemon, lime, cucumber slices and soda isn’t just a great summery alternative, it’s virtually calorie free.

For wine lovers, Jessica recommends choosing organic wines over mass-produced products.

Vegan peanut butter choc-chip cookies (pictured) aren't just easy to make they're also vegan and sugar-free

Vegan peanut butter choc-chip cookies (pictured) aren’t just easy to make they’re also vegan and sugar-free

9. Swap cookies for vegan peanut butter choc-chip cookies

With advances in vegan cuisine, it’s now possible to create dishes that not only taste as good as non-vegan but in some cases taste even better.

Jessica’s vegan peanut butter choc-chip cookies definitely fall into this category, with the nutritionist saying you’d never know something so decadent could be packed with such good-for-you ingredients. 

Peanut Butter Choc-Chip Cookies 

Ingredients: 

 1/2 cup coconut flour

2 tbsp chia seeds

1/3 cup raw cashews or almonds

2 heaped tbsp. peanut butter

 2-3 tbsp maple syrup 

 1 tsp sea salt

1 tbsp coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup warm water

1/4 cup dark chocolate/dairy-free chocolate, chopped 

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Add all ingredients to a food processor, except for the chopped chocolate, and process until it comes together – the mixture should be sticky enough to hold its shape when pressed. If it’s too dry, add a touch more water.

Add chopped chocolate and stir through.

Spoon 1 tbsp of mixture onto a lined baking tray and shape into a cookie.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden around the edges. 

 

Jessica recommends swapping kale chips and home-made dips for salt-laden chips and overly-flavoured dips

Jessica recommends swapping kale chips and home-made dips for salt-laden chips and overly-flavoured dips

10. Swap chips and dip for kale chips and home-made dips

Chips and dip, while always a tasty snack, can lead to total calorie blow-out, especially as sort of snacks tend to be enjoyed at social events.

If you are hosting such an occasion and would like to indulge, consider kale chips and home-made dips as a healthier, yet flavoursome alternative.

Kale chips simple to prepare and generally take no longer than 15 minutes in the oven to bake.

Don’t forget to add your favourite spices, turmeric, cajun, cumin ahead of cooking. 

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