Delicious and Healthy Food Swaps for the New Year

The new year has always been the traditional time to start fresh with those healthy ideas and resolutions that you've been thinking about. It's the perfect time to implement those changes and put them into action. Here are a few food swaps that are a great place to start

Eat Real Fruits Instead of Drinking Processed Juices

Instead of reaching for that convenient bottle of fruit juice at the grocery store, opt instead for the real thing – fruit. When you eat from the actual fruit, you're getting a healthier and more nutritious intake than from just the juice alone.

The pulp or skin of the fruit contains fiber and nutrients that are often lacking in commercial fruit juices. Purchasing a bag of fruit is usually more economical, too. Furthermore, if you can find organic fruit, that's even a healthier way to go.

Fall and winter fruits to look for include grapefruit, oranges, pears, apples, pomegranates, persimmons, cranberries, kiwi, and clementines.

Try these scrumptious fruit salads this season:
Pear Pomegranate Salad by Two Peas And Their Pod
Winter Fruit Salad by Dinner At The Zoo

Eat Oatmeal Instead of Cereal for Breakfast

Unless you're making your own healthy cereal, try moving away from the overly sweetened processed boxed cereals. Yes, they're convenient, but not always the healthiest way to start your morning. Instead, with just a little pre-planning, you can have a healthier breakfast with oatmeal.

Oatmeal is considered a superfood. It's chock full of protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. And, it's awesome because you can customize it to fit your tastes. It's pretty bland on its own, but by adding your favorite fruits and spices to it, you'll have a delicious breakfast that's satisfying and nutritious.

Try these delicious oatmeal recipes that are easily adaptable to your tastes and morning routine:
Blueberry Overnight Oatmeal by The Big Man's World
Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal by Eating Bird Food

Make Your Own Coffee Creamer

If you're not quite ready to give up coffee yet (and who isn't?) at least make it healthier with homemade coffee creamer. All those delicious flavors on your grocer's shelf can be replicated at home. And best of all, you'll be able to control what's in it, use your own flavorings, your own sweeteners, and customize it to your taste. Ditch the processed versions for these healthier alternatives.

Here are a few recipes to try:
Coconut Vanilla Coffee Creamer by A Mindful Mom
Skinny Dark Chocolate Peppermint Coffee Creamer by Amy's Healthy Baking
Caramel Coffee Creamer by Fashionable Foods

Make Homemade Dressings Instead of Using Store-Bought

If you love salads, you may find store-bought dressings to be irresistible since there are so many options available. However, those options tend to come with ingredients added that might not be so desirable as far as health benefits go. Processed dressings often contain added sugars, preservatives, and dyes, so you might be ingesting more than just a yummy dressing on your salad.

Instead, try your hand at making homemade dressings. You can quickly shake or even blend a healthier\ dressing together and keep it in the fridge for up to a week to use on your salads.

Mix these delicious dressings for a savory burst of taste:
Healthy Honey Mustard Salad Dressing by Cookie And Kate
White Balsamic Vinaigrette by Savory Nothings
Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing by Five Heart Home

We hope you enjoyed Simply Amazing Living's “Delicious and Healthy Food Swaps for the New Year” post.

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