I know what you’re thinking. Winter is on its way, which means you’ll be indulging in what I look to call a ‘comfort food coma’, consisting of warming, starchy foods that make you feel full, warm and oh-so-happy during the frosty months.

Good news is you don’t need to succumb to the ‘comfort food coma’ in order to feel warm and satisfied during winter – and you don’t need to survive on salads either. Check out our food swap recommendations for winter and ensure you give your pantry the healthy – yet delicious – makeover it (and you) deserve…

SWAP WHITE RICE FOR BROWN RICE OR QUINOA
Brown rice is wholegrain rice with all of the original goodness intact. White rice is also a wholegrain rice, but has been milled to remove the bran and much of the fibre and nutrient-rich content with it. Eating whole grains with a high fibre content helps with maintaining optimal weight while refined grains have actually been linked to weight gain and type two diabetes. Then there’s quinoa; this super grain is one of the most protein-rich foods we can get eat, plus it contains twice as much fibre as other grains. So you can make the switch in your hearty curries and risottos this winter.
Not a fan of the nutty taste of brown rice? Basmati rice is a great alternative that has a low GI.

SWAP BISCUITS AND CHOCOLATES FOR WARM NATURAL COCOA
If you start to feel your sweet tooth twitching after dinner or when the dreaded 3:30pm mark hits, you’ll be pleased to know there is a far more health conscious and delicious option than reaching for the biscuit tin. Warm cocoa has been found to contain almost twice the anti-cancer activity (by way of antioxidants) than red wine, and almost three times that of green tea. Plus, it tastes great and will warm you up in no time!

SWAP POTATO CHIPS FOR VEGGIE CHIPS
When it comes to veggie chips, homemade are definitely the best. Cut some of your favourite veggies (such as eggplant or beetroot) into super thin slices and roast them in the oven until super crisp. To season, add some dry chilli flakes or, if you’d really like some salt, sprinkle Himalayan rock salt over your crisps.

SWAP HEAVY CURRIES FOR SLOW-COOKED STEWS
Don’t have a slow cooker? Get one. These babies allow you to create hearty, warming stews without the cream and unwanted calories in some takeaway curries. Simply let your meat and fresh vegetables stew away all day while you’re at work and enjoy meat that falls off the bone and delicious broth that’ll make you (and your waistline) very satisfied indeed.

SWAP CREAMY INSTANT SOUPS FOR HOMEMADE VEGETABLE SOUP
Is there anything easier? Not only do instant and canned soups contain unwanted salts and MSG, they’re also just as easy to create as your own healthy, homemade vegetable soup. Simply let your vegetables boil away in a scrumptious stock of your choice and then put it all into a blender to enjoy fresh, fulfilling soup that you can freeze and devour anytime.

Want to see the healthy recipes our members have been sharing in the forums? Check them out here...

What are your healthy food swap ideas?

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