Looking for processed food substitutions to keep your family healthy? We have got you covered right here.
Congratulations on seeking out alternatives to the processed food we all know and love. However, what happens when you start to miss your favorite processed foods? What about trying to pack a bag lunch but making sandwiches isn’t an option? And how are you supposed to go without your favorite pasta dish? Do you give up? No! Below you’ll find simple processed food substitutions for some of your favorite foods.
4 Processed Food Substitutions For Families
1. Instead of pasta...
Rice is a quick substitute for pasta as is spaghetti squash. There are also “miracle noodles” available for purchase online and in some health food stores. They are mushroom-based and usually come packed in water. To be honest, they are a bit of an acquired taste.
By far the best and most versatile option is to use squash and zucchini as a pasta replacement. Use a spiralizer, a veggie peeper or just a knife and cut pasta shapes from the squash. You can eat it raw, or cook it in a dry skillet until your mock pasta is al dente. Serve with your favorite clean pasta sauce or top it with some tomatoes cooked in olive oil and garlic. Delicious!
2. Instead of bread...
Look no further than a leaf of lettuce or cabbage. They make great wraps and hold your favorite clean sandwich ingredients just fine. Some sandwich shops even offer the "unwich" as a bread-less option.
Of course, you can also bake some great gluten-free baked treats using eggs, and either flaxseed or almond meal. There are all sorts of quick and easy recipes out there to try.
3. Instead of breakfast cereal...
Why not treat yourself to a bowl of fruit and chopped nuts topped with a little almond milk. You’ll agree that it is much better than that same old bowl of corn flakes. Keep the ingredients ready in the fridge for a quick and easy breakfast. This is one of the processed food substitutions you probably already have at home.
If you get tired of that, then give eggs a try. They make great breakfast food and will keep you full for hours. And hard-boiled eggs are portable!
4. Instead of flour-based pizza...
Use cauliflower! Did you know that you can make pizza crust from cauliflowers? It’s a bit of work and slightly messy to eat, but boy does it hit the spot when you’re craving a piece of pizza pie. Adding fresh from the vine tomatoes adds to the fresh, crisp taste. There are also several frozen pizza options with cauliflower crusts though they may contain more processed ingredients.
Depending on what you’re eating on your healthy eating journey, corn tortillas may be a good gluten-free option. They make perfect individual-sized pizzas. And remember, this is a lifestyle, not a mandate. Do the best you can when you can.
Bottom Line: Tasty processed food substitutions are possible to find.
Any time a craving hits or you feel like throwing in the towel because you’re missing some of your old favorites, know you don't have to give up. Just think about these processed food substitutions and see if there are some options that would work for you. There are some amazing healthy recipes out there for just about anything. Give it a try!