When the temperature cools, we might have the tendency to reach for comforting treats that are loaded with fat. But these aren’t healthy and they totally hamper your confidence when bikini season swings around again!
Here are much more weight-friendly and organic ideas for comfort food.
1. Use Fruits and Vegetables
Although you might not think of fruits and vegetables as foods that provide comfort, it’s all in the preparation. Eating fruits with custard that is free of AZO dyes (that contain synthetic colours) as well as tartrazine (available at Woolworths) is delicious. Placing vegetables such as potatoes or sweet potatoes into the oven with a topping of low-fat cream can also be tasty and satisfying.
2. Make Unhealthy Comfort Food Healthier
You might love things like macaroni and cheese when you’re in dire need of something satisfying and warm during the cooler months. You can prevent these from being unhealthy or fattening by choosing healthy ingredients. Use butternut instead of cheese in the macaroni dish for a much healthier dish.
3. Choose Organic Chocolate
Chocolate is always a winner when you’re in the mood for a snack, but make sure you choose chocolate that has been made from raw, organic cacao. Honest Chocolate contains no emulsifiers, preservatives or artificial flavouring, so the chocolate is pure and natural. It is also free of dairy and processed sugars, making it a healthier snack than the regular chocolate options out there.
4. Reach for Fatty Acids
There’s a reason why comfort food is such a mood booster! Researchers in Belgium recently used MRI scans to survey the brains of 12 healthy, non-obese people when they were sad. Some participants were given a fatty acid via a feeding tube (fatty acids are a component of many comfort foods), while others were given a saline solution, and all participants were closely studied. The researchers found that the participants who received the fatty acid were half as sad as the ones who were given the saline infusion.
Choose fatty acids when you need a bit of comfort – but opt for the healthy ones! Great foods containing fatty acids can include seafood, seeds and nuts, or beans. Although these might not strike one as comforting, they are packed with healthy fatty acids and nutrients that make one feel satisfied after their consumption. Plus, when you feel fuller for longer, you avoid reaching for unhealthy treats.
