After all, isn’t it true that those things that are the worst for us also happen to taste the best? When my husband suggested I serve it in phyllo cups, it became my most-requested appetizer!—Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida, Lemon, lime and orange bring a burst of sunny citrus flavor to marinated olives that are great for nibbling on at holiday buffets. Filed Under: Health & Beauty, Nutrition & Diet Tagged With: Dieting, healthy foods, Low-Fat, Videos. A healthy alternative to creamy dips, it’s good for the extra point. And check out the fun flavors—dark chocolate coconut, cashew cranberry orange, and oatmeal chocolate chip. —Jennifer Reid, Farmington, Maine, Nothing is more refreshing to me than a seasonal fruit salad enhanced with this simple honey-lime dressing. I want everyone to live their best life... for as long as possible. This street-fair favorite lightens up with two healthier alternatives: Two cups of Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn contains 140 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 8 grams of added sugar. Other healthier energy bars include Perfect Bars and Curate Bars, reviewed here. It's well-seasoned with cayenne pepper, mustard seed and vinegar but not the least bit spicy. Here are 10 alternatives to sugary snacks. Making your own at home in a simple paper lunch bag costs pennies, and contains healthy filling fiber (here’s the secret to making perfect microwave popcorn at home). Personally, I think it's useful when people realize that they're not the only one going through a difficult time. —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Not too hot, but with a bit of a kick, this salsa is a perfect topping for grilled fish or chicken. —Solie Kimble, Kanata, Ontario, Edamame and corn give this unique salsa its unmistakable team colors. The seasoned, roasted peppers and cauliflower are just right with nearly any main course. Whole grain oats contain lots of fiber and minerals like calcium and iron. Pretzels, jerky, and even pork rinds can be healthier alternatives to potato chips and other snacks. How many times have you found yourself engrossed in a movie while munching on these salty snacks, only to look down and realize you’ve consumed the whole box? When I’m not writing, I love to spend time with my husband, read, create 3D artwork and Native American beadwork. Bagels are a staple breakfast item in many households, but they are often paired with high calorie dips and spreads which makes them unhealthy. Even a trip to McDonald’s or Taco Bell can be OK if done right. Stick to non-creamy dipping sauces like barbecue or sweet and sour, which add only 45 to 50 calories. Mashed banana and peanut butter replace butter and some sugar in these tasty good-for-you peanut butter banana brownies from Sarah Hilgert Pflugradt, MS, RD. These are the foods that are surprisingly high in sugar. Popcorn is a whole grain, and it's bulky so you'll feel like you're eating more than you really are. Cheese puffs are inevitably one of the first things we reach out for whenever we are snacking. You can even blend the olives and spread the mixture onto baguette slices.—Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts, I made this fresh, colorful mango salad on the fly and it was a big hit! Here are some of my favorite healthy junk foods: Did you know that Dove has a dark chocolate that is only 100 calories and is good for you, too? —Donna Magliaro, Denville, New Jersey, I learned how to roast pumpkin seeds from my mother, who learned it from her mother. Heck, you might even try your hand at making healthier snacks at home. Another option from Earth Balance is the vegan aged white cheddar puffs containing only 4.5 grams of fat. Oh, well, at least now you and I both know that some of our favorite junk foods are actually safe. —Taylor Marsh, Algona, Iowa, Caramelization really enhances the flavors in this easy side dish. This makes beef jerky a really good junk food to eat between meals, and or to help you lose that extra weight. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Sprinkling cucumber slices with salt and letting them stand in a colander draws out excess water so they stay crisp when set on a barbecue buffet. While it is true that there are brands of beef jerky that are loaded with preservatives and sodium, there are many brands that only use natural ingredients — which drives down the sodium levels and gets rid of the chemical preservatives we all hate. —Christine Hanover, Lewiston, California, This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! The price is right for this healthy junk food as well. My favorite things to write about are topics that have to do with pregnancy, weddings, saving money, living green, and life with dogs. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. This is a great way to enjoy the end-of-the-garden harvest. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You can add a little salt if you like, too. Instead of toasted almonds, you could also sprinkle servings with grated Parmesan cheese. Unhealthy Food, If Looking Good, May Seem Healthy To You: Study Claims, Diwali 2020: Expert Tips To Check And Avoid Adulterated Khoya; How To Make It At Home, Diwali 2020: Best Restaurants And Food Deals to Celebrate The Festival in Delhi-NCR And Mumbai, 5 Minute Recipes: Make Chocolate Roll Barfi With These 3 Ingredients (Recipe Video Inside), 6 Vitamin C-Rich Winter Fruits That May Help Prevent Respiratory Troubles And Promote Lung-Health, Diabetes? —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona, When entertaining, I often rely on my pepper tapenade recipe because it takes only 15 minutes to whip up and pop in the fridge. Even a trip to McDonald’s or Taco Bell can be OK if done right. Chips made from vegetables offer healthier alternatives with the same satisfying salty crunch. — Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California. “It’s very crunchy and filled with fiber.” Zing Bars, created by registered dietitians, contain fewer calories and sugar, and more protein (10 grams) plus fiber (8 grams) than regular energy bars. My son says it best: The celery and shrimp are so good together. It’s important to note that frying otherwise healthful foods, like sweet potatoes, may be no nutritional bargain compared to fried potato chips, as it doesn’t resolve the fat issue. This yummy, microwave-easy recipe will have folks eating 'em up by crunchy handfuls! —Nan Rickey, Yuma, Arizona, We like this refreshing and colorful salsa served with tortilla chips or spooned over grilled chicken. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups pack a decent nutritional punch because of the protein in the nuts (5 grams), however, the sugar content is higher than ideal (21 grams in a two-pack). —Maggie Lovat, Green Bay, Wisconsin. 21 Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Junk Foods Jennifer Bowers, PhD, RD Updated: Jan. 29, 2018 Everyone loves a sweet treat or a good salty crunch, but we also like zipping up our pants. Dietitian Jessica Penner shares a crispy homemade French fry recipe seasoned with onion and garlic powder. Next time you're hankering for munchies — or to celebrate National Junk Food Day, on July 21, 2020 — grab one of these not-so-junky foods. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Spending time in the kitchen with my late aunt was so much fun because she was an amazing cook and teacher. Lower the calorie count even more by making it "fresco style." —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado, My husband's aunt shared this recipe with me ages ago. Who doesn’t love the taste of junk food? Do you really want to eat that? Plus, beef jerky does not increase the levels of insulin which. —Dan Wellberg, Elk River, Minnesota, There isn't a bean that my family does not like. Regular Cheetos contain 170 calories and a whopping 12 grams of fat in a one-ounce snack size bag. the chipotle peppers to suit your taste. You can change the filling any way you like—I have used feta instead of Parmesan or sun-dried tomatoes in the place of the olives. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Annie’s snacks offer a non-GMO organic version with about the same number of calories. We recommend our users to update the browser. If you treat yourself to a fancy, high quality dark chocolate bar — with at least 65% cacao — you'll be more inclined to savor it slowly instead of eating it in one sitting. —Shannon Rose Trelease, East Hampton, New York, Seniors On Medicare Are Getting a Big Pay Day in 2020, Expert: “This credit card is so good I signed up personally”. No sugar substitutes or weird fillers here, only real fruit, real nuts, and pea and rice protein. The sauce beautifully glazes the shrimp. Cheapism’s independent editorial team finds the best for less. Believe it or not - popcorn is actually a much-healthier snack option than pretzels. —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico, We eat a lot of peanut butter, so I decided to make my own. These dark chocolate bars are stuffed with superfoods for a guilt-free daily treat. But eating healthy has tons of benefits. But if you need a store-bought option, The Little Kernel offers six flavor varieties of popcorn, made with GMO-free popcorn cooked in olive oil. Yes, pork rinds are deep fried, but compared to potato chips, they're practically health food, depending on your dietary needs. You’ll love these 15 measured snacks that are healthy and satisfying. The honeyed vinaigrette lets the veggies shine. Or you can save money and make your own. Want more fiber? —Eileen Miller, Woodridge, Illinois, A healthy and refreshing appetizer, I enjoy bruschetta anytime of year. Details: We all crave junk food sometimes — fortunately not all junk food is equally bad for us. While I wouldn’t necessarily consider purchasing a dark chocolate pudding mix due to all the preservatives, there are many healthy chocolate pudding recipes available online. "They are low-carb, high-protein, and often come in portioned bags," says registered dietician Sharon Richter. For spicier sprouts, season with red pepper flakes —Tiffany Ihle, Bronx, New York, I make this healthy and inviting side dish whenever friends come over for a cookout. Top a slice with a sauce made from fresh berries, and you won't even miss that 3-layer cake with ice cream. Pretzels, jerky, and even pork rinds can be healthier alternatives to potato chips and other snacks. Try Skinny Cow no sugar-added vanilla ice cream sandwich, boasting 4 grams of fiber and half of the total fat and added sugar of the traditional ice cream sandwich. For a main dish, double the filling and use large portobellos. Plus, beef jerky does not increase the levels of insulin which cause the body to decide it’s time to start hanging onto fat. If you like, add lime zest for an added twist. Portion-controlled snack packs of real Oreos provide the flavor you crave with only 100 to 130 calories per pack. The splash of lemon adds nice flavor. —Nikiko Masumoto, Del Ray, California, This refreshing hors d'oeuvre has gained a big following since a friend shared her family recipe with me. Believe it or not pork rinds, which have gotten a really bad rap, are actually good for you.