Cozy Comfort Foods
Winter is an especially popular time for comfort food; with the cold weather and shorter days you may be looking for something to lift your spirits! Comfort foods come in all shapes, sizes and flavors, for instance; some may find sweets like chocolate chip cookies to be comforting while someone else might prefer the heartiness and savoriness of beef stew.
What ever your special food it may bring back memories of your childhood or simply be associated with a pleasant event. Think about it…what is your favorite comfort food? Is there a way to turn your comfort food into a deliciously healthy meal? With just a few modifications like adding more veggies or swapping out a higher fat ingredient for a lower fat ingredient can help you indulge without extra fat and calories.
Here are a few of my favorite recipe swaps:
| Instead of…. | Choose… |
|---|---|
| Sour cream | Low fat Greek Yogurt or low fat sour cream |
| Butter | Olive oil for savory dishes, applesauce in baked dishes |
| Refined grains such as white flour or white rice | Whole grains like whole wheat, brown rice, quinoa, barley |
| High fat meats | Skinless poultry, lean beef, 93% lean ground turkey, tofu |
| Mashed potatoes | Prepare using half mashed cauliflower with half potatoes |
| Spaghetti | Spaghetti Squash (recipe below) |
Did you know? According to a recent study by Cornell University researchers, women and men seek out different comfort foods. Men crave mixtures of salt, protein, & fat like pizza and steak. Women seek out high fat & sugar foods like chocolate, ice cream, and cookies. What are you favorites?