Sugar and dairy are ingredients that are a part of the daily diet for most people. But not many of us know how harmful they can be to some people. Those who are either lactose intolerant or have an allergy or issue with dairy products should try some nutritious substitutes. However, many people don’t suffer from these conditions but are still looking to go dairy-free and sugar-free either to lose weight or for some other reason. It is important to understand that while it is not necessary to cut out these products from your diet, it is certainly very beneficial to do so. There are a lot of other things you can use to substitute the nutrition obtained from dairy and sugar products. Here are a few healthy eating hacks to reduce your intake of dairy or sugar products and take a step forward to a healthy and fit body.
Dates As Healthy Eating Hacks
Dates are the perfect healthy eating hacks for a sugar-free diet. You can use dates in many recipes to replace sugar and sticky date banana bread is one of my favorites! You can also use dates to make a delicious, sweet and thick caramel. Traditional caramel is simply made with sugar and water – a favorite treat for anyone with the slightest sweet tooth. Try soaking a handful of Medjool dates in water and then blend them. Add a little sea salt and you’ve got the perfect healthy salted caramel sauce!
Fruits to satisfy the sweet tooth
Another of these healthy eating hacks to squash those sugar cravings is eating fruits! Fruits with a low glycemic index such as berries, citrus fruits, etc. are a natural option to satisfy a sweet craving. These fruits have a fair amount of fibers and beneficial phytonutrients. The fiber keeps you full and reduces hunger pangs. The phytonutrients give your body vitamins, and minerals needed for good growth. Moreover, these fruits also have great benefits for your skin. Instead of looking for other ways to meet the nutrient requirements of the body, you should include fresh and healthy foods in your diet.
Cashews will save your creamy cravings!
Maybe you’ve decided to cut out dairy, or you’ve realized that those creamy pasta sauces are having an impact on your waistline. The good news is you don’t have to give up your favorite creamy dishes for the sake of nutrition! Cashews are a miracle for creating far healthier creamy sauces. Simply, soak a handful of cashews overnight, then blend up with any seasoning, some garlic, onions, and sundried tomatoes. Voila, a deliciously indulgent sauce to serve over whole-wheat pasta.
Frozen bananas to make ice cream
Frozen banana ice cream is lovingly named ‘nice cream’ by vegans all over the world. Who would’ve thought that blending frozen bananas makes the perfect ice cream texture?! Just freeze your bananas before blending them until smooth. Try adding frozen berries for a berry ice cream, or cacao powder for a healthy chocolate ice cream fix. This easy recipe tastes just as indulgent as the real thing, but without all that unhealthy fat and sugar. Sounds like a winner to me!
Coconut Cream As Healthy Eating Hacks
Ok, this is one of the more indulgent items on this list and not one to eat every day of the week – but coconut cream can replace all kinds of dairy products without the saturated fats and added sugars. If you’re a fan of whipped cream, try putting a can of coconut milk in a fridge overnight and whip it up – no sugar necessary. The light, airy coconut cream is one of the best healthy eating hacks for making desserts. Or maybe you have a weakness for chocolate pudding? Whip up some refrigerated coconut cream with cacao powder for a rich and creamy (and sugar-free!) chocolate dessert – also a great idea for dinner parties!