Curb Your Cravings: 10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food

AlamyIt can be really difficult to curb cravings when they hit. Stressful situations often lead to emotional eating as a coping mechanism. Our gut reaction is to immediately satisfy the craving by grabbing whatever junk food is in sight. Throughout the day we are tempted-- whether at the office, home, or even the supermarket. Sometimes it's the specific food craving that is tough to ignore--a brownie, cookie, or bag of chips. But it's never too late to conquer your cravings. Instead steer them in a smarter, more healthy direction. Here are some alternatives to the most common junk food cravings to help you get on a better track.

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10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings

Chocolate is one of the most craved sweets, but the form you eat it in does make a difference. We desire the brownie or the chocolate cake, but these treats are laden with sugar. Yes, they satisfy the craving but they also spike your blood sugar levels. Instead reach for a bar of dark chocolate. A few squares of dark chocolate will satisfy the craving. A bar with a cocoa content of 80 % or more has the highest level of antioxidants and since it has a low amount of sugar, it won't set you up for a drop later in the day.

10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings

Good ole ice cream. I remember the days when I would finish an entire pint in one sitting. Not only are many ice creams high in saturated fat, they also contain corn syrup and artificial flavorings or colorings. Try frozen yogurt or plain yogurt instead. But if you don't like it plain, take a cue from the Greeks and enjoy your yogurt with a spoonful of honey or stir in a spoonful of natural applesauce or fruit preserves.

10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings

There's nothing wrong with potato chips; it's just the amount of oil it's fried in that makes them so unhealthy, and the salt. And you know how it is, you can't stop at just one chip. Soon you'll eat the entire bagful. Popcorn (without butter, of course) is a great alternative when you feel the need to munch. It's filling so it can temporarily stave off hunger. But if you really want potato chips, choose baked, not fried.

10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings

As kids we all loved blue-box mac and cheese. And as adults, some of us still do. But that powdered processed cheese is on the lowest wrung of cheeses, because technically it's not cheese at all. The levels of sodium and trans fat are a good reason to avoid processed cheeses altogether. Remember the school lunch-box staple string cheese? Well, part-skim cheese sticks actually do make a healthy snack when you crave cheese. Plus they're fun to peel.

10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings

It's tempting to grab a slice of cheap pizza when you're on the go, but it's not the healthiest option. In most cases pizzerias use processed cheeses to top pizza. Instead make pizza at home using whole-wheat dough or for an easy version that's also individually sized, try making pita pizzas.

10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings

These breakfast favorites are easy to reach for especially when there's a box of them at the office. Store-bought doughnuts are coated with sugar and are loaded with trans fat, making them very bad for your long-term health. If you're looking for a sweet snack, turn to fresh fruit. Not only can eating an apple satisfy your sweet tooth, but it also lowers stress.

10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings

When the cookie monster craving hits, the first place we go is the vending machine. First, these cookies are made of refined sugar and white flour, but furthermore, they are loaded with preservatives and artificial ingredients. Rice cakes are a good alternative to cookies. Many brands have sweet versions, but you can also jazz up plain rice cakes by spreading them with your favorite nut butter. Also try brown rice cakes, which offer more fiber.

10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings

Who doesn't love French fries especially when they're paired with a burger? Fried food in general is unhealthy, but fried fast-food is even worse. The oil used is typically low-quality hydrogenated oil that is full of trans fats. Eating these fries raise your bad cholesterol levels. Pretzel sticks are a much better alternative--choose the whole-wheat kind. Pair them with a wrap sandwich and you have a healthy lunch option.

10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings

The juicy All-American burger is a treat, but you're not doing yourself any favors if you're eating one from the golden arches. Fast-food burgers are much higher in calories, saturated fat, and trans fat. Stay away from them if you want to keep your arteries clear. Go for a healthy chicken sandwich wrapped in flatbread like a whole-wheat tortilla, which is much better for you than a white bun.

10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings

Soft drinks are loaded with sugar and empty calories. A can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, which is an insane amount if you consider that most people use about 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar in a cup of coffee or tea. Crystal clear water is the best option, but if you like bubbles, then switch to seltzer or naturally sparkling mineral water. If you don't like the taste of water, add flavor with a squeeze of lemon or a splash of 100% fruit juice.

10 Guilt-Free Alternatives to Junk Food Cravings