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Is there such a thing as healthy junk food? Perhaps if we say vegan junk food, right? Just think about juicy burgers, crunchy chips, creamy pizzas, sodas and much more…the taste of junk food is highly tempting.
And if you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle for a good gut, good skin and a ‘free-from-all-diseases’ body, then you will highly be advised to quit junk food.
Honestly, when you are all over eating junk food in fast food restaurants, lounges and hotels, it actually becomes very hard to maintain that healthy lifestyle since junk food is normally high in calories , fat and sodium while it also tends to be low in nutrients.
So a problem arises if you crave for junk food. It is okay to have those cravings and treat yourself occasionally to some burgers but in order to stay healthy, you should not regularize taking junk food. At all costs, aim for moderation.
But coming to think of it, you can actually ensure calories in your junk foods are kept under control in order to make junk food ‘healthy’? How then?
Here are 9 tips to keep junk food ‘healthy’
1. Be careful with dressings
Be aware of salad dressings, spreads and sauces that are packed with too much fat and calories.
For example: you can always put the dressing by yourself on the food to ensure you can control the amount of calories you intake.
Also, remember to go light on the dressing especially if it is mayonnaise which can add a significant amount of calories to your body. Instead, add more ketchup, vinegar or mustard.
2. Run away from milkshakes
Milkshakes and other types of shakes really go well down the throat and replacing them for anything sounds impossible! But I’ve got good news for you!
Simply replace your shakes for a nice dose of smoothie packed with fruits and herbs. Smoothies will detoxify your body and add good nutrients in your gut.
Read Also: 7 Autumn-Flavored Smoothies You Will Love
3. Try zero-calorie or fruit-flavored drinks.
Sodas have a significant level of calories while shakes have even more calories. This means that you should actually not take them frequently.
Instead, go for water, flavored water or unsweetened tea. You can also try diet soda but remember that it still has chemicals and dyes that are not good for the body.
4. Forget about the fries and double patty burgers!
Fries? We just love them and can’t seem to get tired of them, right? Well, if you seriously crave for fries, then go for the smallest serving which has a small amount of calories instead of the largest serving.
When it comes to burgers, no double or triple or staircase burgers which only add loads of unnecessary calories and unhealthy fat. Stick to one patty burger without cheese even if the craving is absurd!
5. Make your own desserts
I love ice creams and wouldn’t fail to stop by the ice cream man’s to get another dosage of the sweet treat.
Good enough, to stay healthy while taking ice creams, it is easier to actually make your own frozen desserts where you control the sweetness!
In fact, you can go for homemade frozen yogurt with some fruit pops or just a dark chocolate with banana ice cream.
6. Skip high-fat toppings.
Burgers with bacon bits can be so delicious but unfortunately, they add hundreds of calories to your body. Instead, skip the bacon and go for chicken.
7. Avoid salads with fried foods.
Skip the salad with fried chicken and other fried toppings and go for salads with grilled chicken, shrimp, or vegetables. In fact, vegetable salads tend to be the best: talk about some yummy avocado salad!
8. Go home made
Preparing junks at home gives you the option of preparing it the ‘healthy’ way! Talk about baking chips instead of frying them, going for smaller portions of junk foods, having sweet potato chips instead of potato chips and also, adding healthier ingredients into the recipe.
9. Go vegan!
Want to be happier and healthier? Then go vegan!
Vegans get all the nutrients that they need to be healthy, such as plant protein, fiber, and minerals, without indulging in meat that contains cholesterol and saturated animal fat. Hence, they have less risk of lifestyle diseases like diabetes and blood pressure.
Good enough, I got some awesome vegan junk food recipes that you can prepare instead of going on a fast food splurge.
VEGAN CAKES AND PASTRIES
1.Easy Vegan Cinammon Rolls- Sweet And Fluffy Delights
2. Vegan Frito Pie
3. Vegan Naan Pizza with Pesto and Sweet Potato
4. Best Vegan Donuts – Vegan Baked Chocolate Glazed Donuts
5. Vegan Carrot Cake
6. Molten Chocolate Mug Cake (Vegan)
7. Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
8. Gooey Vegan Eggnog Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie
9. Vegan Biscuit Pot Pie
VEGAN FRIES, BURGERS, AND PASTA
1. Vegan No-Chicken Nuggets
2. “Chicken” Fried Tofu Sandwiches with Spicy Buffalo Slaw
3. Fully Loaded Vegan Nachos
4.“Mozzarella” Sticks (Gluten-Free And Vegan)
5. Vegan Swedish Meatballs
6. Vegan Garlic Knots
7. Vegan Pepperoni Pizza Dip
8. Vegan Ranch Chick’n Nuggets
9. Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes
10. Vegan Arby’s Copycat Sandwich with Horseradish Sauce
11. Vegan 20 Minute Creamy Sausage Pasta
12. Vegan Skillet Potatoes Au Gratin
13. Buffalo Chick’n Sandwiches
14. The Best Ever Vegan Meatballs
15. Vegan “Buttermilk” Ranch Dressing
16. Vegan French Toast Breakfast Sandwiches
VEGAN ICE CREAMS AND SWEETS
1. Vegan Moose Tracks Ice Cream
2. Copycat Vegan Caramel Blondie Blizzard (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)
3. Antietam Dairy’s Black Raspberry Ice Cream (dairy free/vegan)
Do you love junk food too? I hope you’ve found an alternative vegan junk food recipe that will suit all your cravings, right?
Then let us know in the comments below…
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post where all food bloggers featured in the post shared their recipes.
Hugs!
Dalene.
Everything looks so delicious! I do love my junk food and I should probably try to eat them healthier. I will have to try some of these.
Please do Amber; you’ll love the recipes!
You are killing me with these amazing recipes and ideas. I want everything! I am enjoying fresh green salads this spring and I can’t wait for the strawberry to be ripe in my garden.
Hope you’re enjoying some green smoothies Elene. And also, you definitely should make some good strawberry juice once they ripen.
Hugs!
I have a dairy allergy so vegan is a good thing for me. By eating vegan, I know that the food is safe for me to eat
Awesome; then these vegan recipes will be great for you Tara!
All this stuff looks really yummy! I could probably eat healthier. I did do away with milkshakes – for the most part at least. I found that I like smoothies with fresh fruit much better. Plus they are a lot lighter than milkshakes are for me.
Nice step there Nicole! Good enough, smoothies are even healthier.
Oh wow these all look great!! I think we could all do with switching some of our unhealthier snacks for healthy ones, these all look really good!
Absolutely Laura! Time to get healthier junks!
I’m trying really hard to eat healthier but I LOVE junk food, which makes it hard. I bet these will help. Thank you!
Junks can be so tempting! Anyway, do try the recipes Krysten. Try some vegan junks…
Hugs!
I can’t believe these are vegan, AMAZING!!! They look so delicious and very very easy to prepare. Thanks a lot for sharing.
You’re welcome Chad!
Well, they are some yummy vegan junks. Gotta try them!
Everything looks fresh and healthy. I could eat all of them and not think about extra calories. I should try to eat healthy therefore, I am saving this post.
Yes! Yes! We’ve got to be healthy Marjie…do try them too.
Hugs!
I am also going to save your post for future reference.
Thank you Marjie.
These are all incredible ideas to follow. It gives you the satisfaction of taste and lessen you health worries. This article is perfect.
Thanks so much Hannah!
Wow I could eat junk food like this all day long, it all looks amazing but without so much guilt x
I can feel that Samantha. Well, we’re in the same boat.
Hugs!
I love these ideas! That pizza looks amazing!!
Sure does Kerri!
These food look really delicious! This is just proof that vegan does not mean bland. I am not a vegan but I would love to try these dishes too!
I love that! Vegan doesn’t mean bland!
Love to try that Vegan Carrot Cake! It’s really challenging to follow those tips but I’ll definitely give it a try!
Yes, please do Angela…you’ve got this!
Hugs!
Oh man, this is what I need in my life. I need to cut the sugar and increase the veggies. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome Scott! Now you know where to start from, right?
These look so delicious! I am always trying to find a way to cure that junk food craving!
Got you sorted Alexandra!
I love that pizza the best because you can make it the way you want it and make it delicious!
Absolutely! It’s always nice to experiment with ingredients in the kitchen.
I am totally living a Vegan diet. It’s great to see diff kind of vegan made dish and snacks here.
Wow! Good for you Elizabeth. A lot of choices here for you.
Hugs!
Milkshake is too difficult for me to avoid since I live next to McDonalds. Urggghh! I wish I could just go Vegan instead. Haha. Nice tips btw!
Haha! More milkshakes??! What milkshakes do to us though…to make matters worse, you’re close to McDonalds! But we’ve got to stay healthy, perhaps you can indulge just once in a while.
Hugs!
These look like some amazing junk food replacements for sure. I know a good smoothie is always a good thing. And I would love one as much as any milkshake.
Haha…I saw that…the milkshake David? Better get more smoothies and perhaps treat yourself with a milkshake once in a while,right?
I also run away from milkshakes because they are like calorie machines. Also, making your own dessert is one way to control your calories while enjoying your meal. All the other tips are great too. Will try them
Do try them Samantha. I love that you agree that it’s better to go homemade with desserts.
Hugs!
Not a huge junk food person but you’ve offered some great substitutions. That naan pizza with sweet potatoe looks awesome.
That’s nice John. Healthy foods all the way!
Now Im craving for that Black Raspberry Ice cream. Love your recipes dear looks so delicious enticing
Thanks Elizabeth. Perhaps you should give it a try,right?
I am a lover of junk food, because it makes me feel good, but it’s has never occurred to me if I am actually eating healthy, but now I think I know just what I need to do to eat healthy and good quality controlled junks food,thank for this info the photos of the vegans are really tasty, I l will really love to have the baked chocolate glazed donut.
Glad to hear that Ewuzie. It’s about time we controlled our junk intake and ate more healthier.
Thanks for stopping by!