TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Earth Fare is making a noonday stop at the ABC 27 studio to tell us how to beat those unhealthy food cravings.
The suprising fact, according to representative Agatha Wlodarczyk, is that you don't have to give up your favorite things to keep that New Year's Resolution to eat healthier. She says that it's actually better to find a way to manage and moderate your cravings, rather than going cold turkey. One way to do that is to substitute the things you like with a healthier, similar-tasting option.
The following are tips from Wlodarczyk to get you started:
If you have a sweet tooth, trade out your brownies and candy for protein bars. They come in great flavors, but have more nutrients than your typical sugary snack. If you're a cookie fiend, try fig bars, date & almond bars, or a brand of animal crackers with less sugar.
If you're a chocoholic, try a sectioned bar of dark chocolate. The sections will help with portion control, and dark cholocolate is full of antioxidants and minerals. And, as a bonus, it's low on the glycemic index --similar to oatmeal--meaning it won't cause blood sugar spikes.
However, even though it's healthier than its junk food counterpart, moderation is still key. Limit yourself to two squares or two cookies and put the bag away, so you won't think about it. Out of sight, out of mind.
If crunchy, salty snacks are your kryptonite, try potato chip alternatives made from different kinds of vegetables. Sweet potato chips, for example have 40% fat than regular potato chips and plenty of fiber. Snap pea crisps have more vitamins, fiber, and protein than traditional chips, making them a great option for kids.
If you want to cut back on soda and sugary soft drinks, try a sparkling, flavored seltzer. The carbonation will curb the pop craving. The downside: these drinks usually come without a caffeine pick-me-up, so try to caffeinated tea for your fix.
If you love chewy treats, trade out your fruit chews for actual dried fruit. It's the same flavor without the added processing and sugar. Pineapples, bananas and apples are a great place to start.
