We don’t know about you, but for us one of the hardest things about eating healthy is letting go of comfort food. Salads and protein bowls are great, but sometimes we really just want a burger or bowl of pasta. We’re firm believers that you shouldn’t have to deprive yourself to live a healthier lifestyle, so we’ve been on a mission to find creative ways to make the dishes we love lighter. These are some of our favourite comfort food recipes that substitute healthy ingredients and are still super satisfying.
Healthy eaters can have their pizza and eat it too with this low-carb, wheat-free pizza crust recipe that uses cauliflower as a base. We’re not going to lie—it’s not exactly the same texture or taste as true pizza dough, but it’s crunchy, flavourful, and can withstand pretty much any toppings you want to throw on it.
Nothing says comfort food like a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup. This version replaces starchy pasta noodles with vibrant spiralized zucchini noodles. The carrots and celery pack in even more veggies to kick your nutrient intake up a notch. If you’re feeling a bit under the weather, this healthy soup will sort you right out.
Smoky Sweet Potato Burgers with Roasted Garlic Cream and Avocado
Going meat-free or just looking to add more plant-based foods into your life? These sweet potato burgers are every bit as delicious as a beef burger, and far healthier for you. The secret to the full-on flavour is luscious roasted garlic in the cream sauce. Lower the carb count by eating them without buns.
The next time you’re craving a side of fries instead of salad, try these baked fries that swap out starchy potatoes for healthy zucchini. Even better, you don’t need a drop of oil to make these fries, yet they still come out of the oven golden and ultra crispy.
Who says that Asian comfort food has to be greasy and loaded with carbs? This version of fried rice replaces the rice with cauliflower for a low-carb comfort food fix that’s keto and gluten-free. Not a fan of peas and carrots? Swap them out for your preferred veggies or meats or just use anything leftover in your fridge.
Creamy Garlic Roasted Red Pepper ‘Pasta’
It’s hard to believe that this pasta is vegan and gluten-free because it’s so rich and dreamy. The creaminess comes from almond milk and a bit of almond butter or tahini. Those magic ingredients thicken up the sauce so it coats the zucchini noodles in red peppery goodness.
One bite of these chickpea nuggets will take you back to your childhood days. However, the fact that they’re vegan and baked means you can enjoy them in a responsible healthy adult kind of way. Even better, they only have a few ingredients, so they’re super easy to make.
Your typical tuna casserole goes pretty heavy on the carbs, but this version replaces pasta with spaghetti squash noodles to lower the calorie count. It’s also packed full of veggies and topped with crispy root vegetable chips for guilt-free crunch and lovely pops of colour.
Slow Cooker Turkey Quinoa Chili
Perfect for a rainy day, this heartwarming chilli uses turkey instead of beef for a leaner protein kick. Plus you get plenty of nutrients, antioxidants and fibre from the sweet potatoes, quinoa and black beans. Pop all the ingredients in the slow cooker and you can sit back and relax while your kitchen fills with delicious aromas.
This guilt-free risotto uses cauliflower instead of arborio rice for a healthier version of the Italian favourite that won’t weigh you down. Even better, it’s much quicker and easier to make because the cauliflower absorbs the liquid right away. This means you don’t have to add, stir and repeat over and over.
