5 Healthy Dishes that Taste Just Like Comfort Food

We've all been on a diet and we all know what happens when you try to deprive yourself completely. It doesn't work. The best thing you could do is train yourself to make better decisions, to think about your choices before just diving in. And speaking of better decisions, here are 5 dishes that will make your favourite comfort foods just a little bit healthier.

Mashed Potatoes? Try Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed potatoes with all the toppings (butter, cheese, sour cream) are loaded with simple carbs and have next to no nutrients to even it all out. Low in calories and carbs and high in folate, fiber and vitamin C, cauliflower makes a great substitute. Steamed and fork mashed (I like mine pureed) with a little hit of fat free or reduced fat sour cream and chives is just heavenly. Have a look at this recipe from Paula Deen.

Chocolate Mousse? Try Avocado Chocolate Mousse

This is a perfect solution to those loud, screaming chocolate cravings. This vegan version of chocolate mousse, is full of good for you things like monounsaturated fats, Vitamins B, C and E, and potassium. By using avocado in the place of heavy cream and eggs, you remove the cholesterol and most of the bad saturated fats you find in a traditional mousse. Try this dairy free recipe . For 50 easy to make, healthy and delicious recipes that will support your fat loss goals check out our Food to Be Fit Guide Here - best part? It's on sale for less than $10. 

Spaghetti Marinara? Try Spaghetti Squash Marinara

Pasta is FULL of simple carbs and it is so easy to overeat. Who actually stops at the proper serving size of 1/2 cup? Take out the pasta and sub in spaghetti squash and you're golden. It is as easy roasting, scooping and topping with marinara. Check out a simple recipe here. To reduce sodium intake, try making your own marinara sauce as the store bought ones are high in added salt.

Ice Cream? Try Fat-Free Greek Frozen Yogurt

Just about any ice cream recipe can be turned into fat-free Greek frozen yogurt. Eliminate the milk and cream, instead using store bought yogurt, and you've made a delicious treat full of protein and probiotics. Using an ice cream machine produces the best results (you can get a good one for around $50) but if you don't have one, no worries. Mix the yogurt with fruit puree and a sweetener, like stevia or honey, cover and freeze for a few hours and you're ready to go. Have a peek at this recipe for almond pistachio fro-yo.

Brownies? Try Black Bean Brownies

Black beans are low in calories, high in protein and fiber, and full of antioxidant vitamins and minerals. Use black beans and cocao powder in place of flour and chocolate chips in a traditional recipe. It is that easy. To make this idea even healthier, you can lower the cholesterol by replacing eggs with flax seed. Get started with this recipe.   H/T: www.byrdie.com