10 Junk Food Alternatives To Satisfy Your Cravings - Society19 (2024)

Chips, burger, pizza, fries…we all know these junk foods are not ideal for our health or fitness goals. Though fine to consume in moderation, staying away from these bad boys will do wonders for yourheart and waistline. However, these cravings are far from easy to ignore when all think about is sinking your teeth into a saucy slice of pizza. For you junk food fanatics, we have compiled a list of healthy alternatives to satisfyyour cravings while simultaneously keeping your health goals in check.

1. Chips

Veggie chips (consisting of vegetables such as baked beets, turnips and sweet potatoes) are great alternatives for your favourite chips. Available at most local grocers or even corner stores, keep these in mind next time you’re about to reach or your bag od classic Lays or Doritos.

2. Ice Cream

If you’re a fan of ice cream, try a healthier, homemade alternative to your favourite frozen treat. “Nice” cream, a.k.a. banana based ice cream is a simple and effectively delicious alternative you need to try immediately. All you need are some frozen bananas, flavour (cocoa powder or peanut butter, etc…) and a blender. Blend ingredients to your preferred consistency and you have yourself a tasty treat. For more recipes and frozen creativeness, check out these recipes here.

3. Chocolate Bars

If chocolate bars are our fix, we can help.Filled with sugar, calories and trans fats, chocolate bars can be worse for your health than you realize.Instead, try pure dark chocolate (at least 70% dark) as a healthier,yet equally chocolatey alternative. If you can’t take the bitterness of dark chocolate, try a mix of dark chocolate chunks and dried fruit or and or a mixture of all three in a homemade trail mix. Be careful to still eat these in moderation, as they can still be calorie dense.

4. Soda and Pop

Instead of reaching for your favourite sugary drink, try flavoured sparkling water or kombucha. La Croix is a delicious, and cheap, sugar and calorie-free alternative. If you like something with a little more flavour, kombucha has amazing health benefits (probiotics, digestion aid and energizing cultures) that you can’t find in any other type of drink.

5. Fries

Fries…of holy fries. There’s a reason why everyone loves them. However, if you’re looking for a delicious, fat-free alternative try roasted or baked veggies with greek yogurtdipping. These are so easy to make, just pop your favourite veggies in the oven with any seasoning and olive oil you desire.

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6. Milkshake

If you’re a milkshake lover looking for a healthier, maybe even dairy-free alternative, try going for a smoothie instead of a milkshake the next time you have a craving. the beauty about smoothies is that you can get as healthy and creative as you want. The possibilities are almost endless.

7. Pizza

Pizza is a hard one to find a healthy alternative for. However, we think we’ve done it justice with this one. Instead of pizza crust when you make your next pizza, try portobello mushrooms, zucchini, or a cauliflower crust as a carb-free option. You might even like it better then the real thing.

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8. Burgers

Burgers are a classic junk food staple. However, the bun and the sauce can have major calories in them. Yikes. Next time you make yournext burger, opt for a carb-free alternative by using romaine lettuce wraps instead of buns. Even request it at your favourite restaurant, this is such an easy alternative it can be done almost anywhere.

9. Mac n’ Cheese

For mac n’ cheese lovers who want to get away from all the carbs that come in macaroni, cauliflower or squash alternatives are great bases for your next meal. You can even find dairy-free cheese alternatives to escape dairy as well in order to make this the ultimate healthy mac n’ cheese.

10. Candy

If you’re a fan of candy treats but are trying to steer clear from all the sugar, frozen grapes and frozen fruit, in general, are great satisfying alternatives. Just put your favourite fruit into the freezeran hour or two before consumption and you have yourself a yummy dessert. You can even buy pre-bagged frozen fruit to saveyourself some time.

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Comment below your favorite junk foods and what you eat to curve your cravings!

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10 Junk Food Alternatives To Satisfy Your Cravings - Society19 (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for junk food cravings? ›

By choosing healthy substitutes like nuts, coconut oil, fruit, and dark chocolate, you can satisfy your cravings while supporting your overall health. And, if you're looking for a convenient ready-made snack, consider Hail Merry's delicious line of Cups, Tarts, and Cookie Dough Bites.

What should I eat if I crave junk food? ›

Healthier Snacks to Satisfy Junk Food Cravings
  • Nuts. Thanks to their pleasing combo of saltiness and crunch, nuts calm your cravings for other salty snacks. ...
  • Dried Fruit. Skip the candy and choose chewy, sweet dried fruit when you need a sugar fix. ...
  • Roasted Chickpeas. ...
  • Hummus.
Dec 28, 2021

What can I do instead of eating junk food? ›

Six Ways to Eliminate Junk Food in Your Diet
  1. Eat Regular Meals so You Do Not Get Too hungry. ...
  2. Drink Water First and Eliminate Sugar Sweetened Beverages. ...
  3. Consume Snacks that are Nutritious and Low in Calories. ...
  4. Understand Your Stressors. ...
  5. Get Plenty of Sleep. ...
  6. Keep a Smile on Your Face and Realize the Downside of Marketing.

Which is the healthiest junk food? ›

Let's explore a few junk foods that, surprisingly, aren't as sinful for your healthy eating habits as you might think.
  • Popcorn: Story continues below Advertisem*nt. ...
  • Chocolate: Related stories. ...
  • Salted nuts: ...
  • Full-fat yoghurt: ...
  • Cheese: ...
  • Tortilla chips and salsa: ...
  • Pizza:
Jul 12, 2023

What junk food can be replaced with? ›

Explore healthier alternatives to junk food cravings: roasted sweet potatoes, kale chips, frozen dried fruits, yogurt, lime water, and fresh fruit juice. Opt for these nutritious swaps to satisfy cravings without compromising health.

What can I replace food cravings with? ›

18 Healthy Foods to Eat When Cravings Strike
  • Many people get the urge to eat unhealthy foods, especially when they're on a diet. ...
  • Fresh Fruit. ...
  • Greek Yogurt. ...
  • A Hot Drink. ...
  • Snack Bar. ...
  • Dark Chocolate. ...
  • Fruit and Nut Butter. ...
  • Cottage Cheese.
Mar 13, 2017

What is the healthiest snack? ›

Other simple, healthy snacks
  • Whole-grain toast with low-sodium peanut butter or other nut butter.
  • Fat-free/low-fat cheese.
  • Fat-free/low-fat plain with fruit.
  • Fruit and veggie smoothie.
  • Whole-grain crackers with canned very low sodium tuna or low-sodium salmon.
Oct 24, 2023

What is a good snack for cravings? ›

Reach for a piece of fruit instead. "When you're craving something cold, creamy, and sweet, think healthier options like frozen bananas, grapes, organic fruit purees, or homemade frozen yogurt pops," suggested Natalia Levey, certified health and nutrition coach and author of Cravings Boss.

What happens if you don't eat junk food for a month? ›

Cutting back on junk food means you'll be receiving less amounts of fat, sugar and calories, which will naturally lead to weight loss. You'll feel more energetic. Receiving more calories from junk food doesn't mean you're obtaining enough nutritional substance.

What can I eat to detox from junk food? ›

Eat natural diuretic foods: These foods flush out bloat and provide you with a host of health benefits, such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. My favorites are celery, lemon, bell peppers, garlic, onions, watermelon, cucumber, grapes, ginger, berries, and asparagus.

What happens when you stop eating junk food? ›

Within two days your blood sugar levels should return to normal. You won't notice this other than you might feel less moody, less stressed, and less anxious. Within a week or so you'll notice that you feel less bloated, most noticeably in your face, and you'll lose excess weight at the rate of about 2lbs per week.

What are 20 junk foods? ›

A healthier alternative is to prepare your own fries from scratch and use an oven or air fryer instead of deep-frying them.
  • Soda Drinks. Soda drinks in glasses - Pjohnson1/Getty Images. ...
  • Processed Meats. ...
  • Candy Bars. ...
  • Potato Chips. ...
  • Breakfast Cereals. ...
  • Energy Drinks. ...
  • Processed Pastries. ...
  • Instant Ramen.
Apr 23, 2024

What is the number 1 most unhealthy food? ›

The Top 10 Worst Foods to Eat
  • Processed meats like bacon, hot dogs, and cold cuts.
  • Sodas.
  • White bread.
  • French fries.
  • Fast food burgers.
  • Donuts.
  • Processed cheese.
  • Potato chips.

What is the one snack you should never eat according to a cardiologist? ›

Dr. William Kraus, a preventive cardiologist at Duke Health and professor at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina, told TODAY that one of the worst snacks you can eat are pretzels, as well as other processed carbs like crisps and cookies.

What can I eat instead of chips craving? ›

Have a Chip Craving? Here Are 6 Healthy Chip Alternatives to Try!
  • Sweet Potato Chips. If you are a die-hard potato chip fan, you'll definitely enjoy this version using sweet potatoes! ...
  • Kale Chips. ...
  • Plantain Chips. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts Chips. ...
  • Beet Chips. ...
  • Zucchini Chips.

What are good alternatives to fast food? ›

Consider stocking:
  • Whole-grain breads and cereals, pasta, and prepared pizza crust.
  • Milk, reduced-fat shredded cheese, eggs, canned tuna, canned beans, peanut butter, lean ground beef patties, chicken, and meatballs.
  • Fresh, frozen, or no-added-salt canned vegetables; fresh and dried fruit; and fruit canned in juice.
Oct 1, 2009

What can I eat or drink to stop cravings? ›

People can suppress their appetite by including more protein, fat, and fiber in their meals. Consuming more vegetables and pulses can make a person feel fuller for longer. It might also help to try different spices, such as ginger and cayenne pepper, and drink tea to beat unwanted food cravings.

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