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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

                                               14 Junk Foods That Are Healthier Than You Think

                                                                                      1. Chips 

Choosing potato chips that are plain and do not have monosodium glutamate (MSG) are the best option when looking for the healthiest potato chip to buy. Other options to make this junk food healthier include baked chips, kettle chips and those not made from potatos, such as beans or vegetables. 

2. Dark Chocolate

Almonds covered in chocolate are the best options to make this junk food healthier because of the added antioxidants and unsaturated fat. Try to choose brands with no added sugars to reduce unhealthy ingredients even more. 

3.Snack Cakes

Look for 100-calorie packs with at least 7 grams of fiber. Cereal bars are also a goox option, adding nutrition from fruit and oats. 

4. Cookies

Choose graham crackers, oatmeal cookies with fruit or raisins, or ginger cookies. You want to pack as many healthy foods into a cookie as possible, while letting it still be a cookie. 

5. Popsicles

You can get fruit content from different popsicles. In most cases, you can find varieties that have no added sugars as well. 

6. Ice Cream

Frozen treats are definitely a junk food that has plenty of healthy options. You can choose frozen yogurt as opposed to ice cream. Top with fresh fruit and nuts like the picture above. If you want real ice cream, choose plain vanilla.

7. Gummy Fruit Snacks

There are organic brands available in most stores that have less sugar and more natural fruit juices, decreasing the calorie and fat intake for this junk food. 

8. Pizza

To turn this junk food healthy, choose thin crust, leave off the extra cheese, and top the pizza with vegetables, such as peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives. 

9. French Fries

Cutting your own potatoes and baking them in the oven allows you to turn this into a healthier food. 


10. Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and Vitamin A and have been shown to help reduce the risk of cancer. 


11. Chocolate Cake

To make this junk food healthier, substitute applesauce for the oil, and use whole-wheat flour instead of regular all purpose flour. Swapping out these few ingredients can turn this from junk food to healthy indulgence. 

12. Nachos

Instead of topping the tortilla chips with cheese and sour cream, opt for peppers, beans, a little cheese, and Greek yogurt.

13. Cheeseburgers

Swap the beef for chicken or turkey, use low-fat cheese and forget the bun to change this from a junk food to a healthy food. If you must have a bun, choose a whole-grain or whole-wheat alternative. Top it with lettuce, tomato and onion, but leave off the mayo. 

14. Beef Jerky

Even though it can be loaded with preservatives, beef jerky is high in protein and makes a great in-between-meals snack.

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